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The PLA Air Force (PLAAF) and PLA Naval Air Force (PLANAF) operate a total of about 2,300 combat aircraft, including air defence and multirole fighters, ground attack aircraft, fighter-bombers, and medium bombers. An additional trainers and older fighters and bombers are assigned to PLA flight academies or R&D. The two air arms also possess approximately 450 transports and over 90 special mission aircraft. About two thirds of the aircraft are based in the east part of the country.

Fighters. The PLAAF and PLANAF have used some their increased modernisation funding to purchase modern arms from Russia. Between 1992 and 2003 the PLA purchased a total of 76 Su-27 and 62 Su-30MK fighters directly from Russia. Domestic production of the Su-27SK fighter had produced around 100 examples by 2004, bringing the total number of the Sukhoi fighters in the PLA’s inventory to 238. The indigenous J-10 multirole fighter entered the PLAAF service in 2003, with around 50 examples delivered so far. The PLAAF and PLANAF are also equipped with 800~1,000 examples of the older J-8 and J-7 fighters.

Ground Attack Aircraft and Bombers. The most advanced ground attack aircraft in the PLA service are 40~50 examples of the indigenous JH-7 two-seat fighter-bomber. The PLA was forced to re-open the production of the 40-year-old H-6 (Tu-16) medium bomber due to the lack of a suitable successor. For the same reason the PLAAF and PLANAF have to continue operating their obsolete Q-5 attackers which are due to be replaced in the near future.

Transport Aircraft. The PLAAF is equipped with 14 Russian-made IL-76 jet transport aircraft for medium- to long-range airlift missions. The two services are also equipped with 200~300 indigenous Y-8 and Y-7 turboprop transports, and 8~10 H-6 aerial refuelling aircraft. China has reportedly ordered an additional 30~40 IL-76 transport aircraft and 8 IL-78 aerial refuelling aircraft from Russia but the delivery has yet to begin.

Special Mission Aircraft. The PLAAF and PLANAF have 90~100 surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft with photographic, surface search, and airborne early warning sensors.

Helicopters. The Army Aviation Corps of the ground forces operates 500~600 helicopters of various types, with the majority being over 200 Russian-made Mi-17 transport helicopters and 200~250 indigenous Z-9 multi-purpose helicopters. The PLANAF also operates a small number (~60) of shipborne helicopters for ASW and SAR roles.