An earlier version of the J-31 stealth fighter pictured at the Zhuhai air show in southern China two years ago. Photo: Xinhua
Sebastien Roblin, National Interest: China's Air Force: 1,700 Combat Aircraft Ready for War
The People’s Liberation Army Air Force of China and its sister branch, the PLA Naval Air Force, operate a huge fleet of around 1,700 combat aircraft—defined here as fighters, bombers and attack planes. This force is exceeded only by the 3,400 active combat aircraft of the U.S. military. Moreover, China operates a lot of different aircraft types that are not well known in the West.
However, most Chinese military aircraft are inspired by or copied from Russian or American designs, so it’s not too hard to grasp their capabilities if you know their origins.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: China has started manufacturing its next generation of fighters. Here is an easy prediction .... this 1,700 number is going to raise quickly in the years to come.
