People ' s Liberation Army Naval Air Force The People ' s Liberation Army Naval Air Force ( PLANAF ) ( ) is the naval aviation branch of the People ' s Liberation Army Navy of the People ' s Republic of China . Mission . Primary Mission Secondary Mission Current status . The PLANAF has 25 , 000 personnel and roughly 800 aircraft under the navy ' s command . This is a considerably large naval aviation force considering the lack of aircraft carrier s . It operates similar aircraft to the air force , including fighters , bombers , strike aircraft , tankers , reconnaissance , electronic warfare , maritime patrol , seaplane , transport , training and helicopter types . The PLANAF has traditionally received older aircraft than the PLAAF and has taken less ambitious steps towards mass modernization . Advancements in new technologies , weaponry and aircraft acquisition were made after 2000 . The modern day PLANAF is capable of performing a number of roles , and is quite numerically and technologically adept in anti - ship and air defense operations . History . Historically , the PLANAF ' s main role has been to provide the navy ' s warships with air defense coverage . Part of the coastal defense doctrine was to have naval aircraft protecting the ships , hence why many PLA ships of the 1960s - 70s lacked long range anti - aircraft missiles or artillery . During the Sino - Vietnamese War , the PLANAF carried out many successful bombing and airstrike missions against Vietnamese territories , such as in the Spratly Islands . The 1960s saw a series of air combat sorties flown against Taiwanese intruders . PLANAF pilots have been credited with many major victories over the Taiwanese in these small incidents . Historical aircraft operated by the PLANAF include the J - 5 , the J - 6 , and H - 5 . These aircraft have been retired by the late 1990s . Fighters . For fighter missions the PLANAF operates the J - 7E and J - 8II . The J - 7E is a much improved design based on the original Soviet MiG - 21 . With new double delta wings and the PL - 8 AAM , the J - 7E is quite an effective dogfighter . The J - 8II is an indigenous fighter with a nose mounted radar and capable of high speed high altitude interceptions . A small number of these fighters are in service , and are capable of being inflight refuelled by the navy ' s own H - 6DU tankers , modified from former navy H - 6D missile bombers . The navy ' s air defense squadrons can always be complemented by the PLAAF , that operates more advanced combat aircraft including the J - 11 B and J - 10 fighters . Strike and anti - ship attacks are carried out by the Q - 5 , JH - 7 , Su - 30 MK2 and H - 6 . The Q - 5 was a design based on the J - 6 , but with provision for a nose radar . It has become the premiere light nuclear attack aircraft of the Chinese air force since the 1970s . Around 40 Q - 5s are in service with the PLANAF . These are believed to be of the modified model that has a modified nose . These nuclear naval strike variants carried a search radar . Main armament were air dropped torpedoes and rockets , though it was believed these special Q - 5s were capable of carrying one YJ8 air launched anti - ship missile . The JH - 7 was an indigenous , supersonic , heavy nuclear attack aircraft with a crew of two . Its general performance and weapons delivery capability is thought to be comparable to early models of Panavia Tornado . The JH - 7 was subsequently improved to the JH - 7A , capable of carrying a variety of advanced Chinese and Russia n precision munitions as well as anti - ship missiles . The JH - 7 can be armed with the YJ82 improved air launched missile , or the Russian KH - 31 ram jet anti - ship missile . The most recent acquisition of the PLANAF were a batch of 24 Su - 30MK2 . These aircraft are highly advanced and improved variants of the Su - 30MKK . The primary difference between the naval variant and the air force one , is that the MK2 has a longer range search radar that could detect and attack surface ship targets with advanced long range missiles . The H - 6 is a design based on the 1950s Soviet Tu - 16 Badger . Though based on an old design , it has been built in new air frames and vastly improved models ( similar to the upgrades given to the US B52s ) . Chinese H - 6 variants in the navy include the H - 6D , that specializes in carrying two anti - ship missiles . The PLANAF is believed to operate a much improved model , capable of launching the more advanced YJ - 62 and YJ - 8 series anti - ship missiles . Maritime patrol . For maritime patrol , the PLANAF has the Y - 8MPA , Y - 8J and Harbin SH - 5 sea plane . The Y - 8MPA is based on the Y - 8 heavy transport aircraft . Although it carries no weapons , the Y - 8MPA has a vast array of electronics and sensors that could detect surface ships , aircraft or submarines . The Y - 8J is the Y - 8 fitted with one of six ( or eight ) British Skymaster long range detection radars . These Y - 8Js serve as AWACS to direct aircraft into interception , as well as providing target coverage for the PLAN combatants . The Harbin SH - 5 sea plane is capable of patrol , rescue and anti - submarine warfare . For the latter role , the aircraft can carry a large payload of torpedoes and depth bombs . Helicopters . Helicopters are an important asset aboard Chinese surface combatants . With over 30 surface warships and numerous auxiliaries capable of facilitating a helicopter , it is surprising that the PLANAF operates small numbers of ship - borne helicopters . Over the years , the PLANAF has operated the Changhe Z - 8 , Harbin Z - 9 and Russian Ka - 28 Helix . The Changhe Z - 8 is the largest helicopter built in China yet , which is largely similar to the French Super Frelon design . The Z - 8 is most efficient in auxiliary roles in the PLAN , such as towing mine clearing systems , vertical inflight refueling of smaller ships , and supporting the Chinese submarine fleet . The Z - 8 is also quite capable of carrying out attacks on submarines using dipping sonar and torpedo , and attacks against surface ships using the YJ - 82 missile . The Z - 9C and the French AS 565 have become standard helicopters for PLAN surface combatants . The French delivered eight AS 565N Dauphins to the PLANAF in the late 1980s to equip China ' s latest escorts . The Z - 9C is an indigenous version of the AS 565 . Numbers have not been confirmed , but around 25 are credited to be in service ( though some estimate only 10 ) . The Z - 9C is a multi role medium sized helicopter capable of ASW , SAR and surface targeting roles . With the purchase of the Russian Sovremenny class destroyers , the Ka - 28 Helix was also imported . This is the export version of the Ka - 27 , the standard ship borne helicopter for the Russian Navy . The Ka - 28 is vastly superior to the Z - 9C and Z - 8 in performance , and is expected to be the new standard helicopter for future Chinese destroyers and frigates . Eight Ka - 28s were delivered so far ( with four ASW and four SAR variants ) to form a training regiment . More have since been delivered . Future . The future of the PLANAF is unclear . However , it is certain that as the navy receives more attention , the PLANAF will receive newer aircraft and much more funding , as its significant role in projecting power over the sea is becoming evermore realized . A new transport helicopter , the Z - 15 , may enter naval service by 2015 as a dedicated medium sized multi - role shipborne helicopter . This would replace the Z - 9C and complement the Ka - 28 Helix . In early 2006 , an article reported a deal between China and Russia , which sees the PLANAF ' s acquisition of 40 Ka - 29 assault transports , 20 + Ka - 31 AEW helicopters ( mounted with search radar ) and up to 20 Be - 200 jet amphibians . If this purchase goes ahead , this would represent a major step forward for the PLANAF in terms of capabilities . The KA - 29 may form the first dedicated transport for the marine corps , the Ka - 31 ' s powerful radar can serve in over - the - horizon target acquisitions and early warning for Chinese surface ships , and the Be - 200 jet amphibian would replace the SH - 5 in maritime patrol duties and ASW . In addition PLANAF would undergo significant change once China ' s first aircraft carrier is fully operational . Near the end of October 2006 , Russia ’ s Kommersant newspaper revealed that Russian state - run weapon exporter Rosoboronexport is completing negotiations with China to deliver up to 48 Sukhoi Su - 33 ( NATO codename : Flanker - D ) carrier - capable fighter aircraft in a purchase deal reportedly worth $ 2 . 5 billion . The Su - 33 is a variant of Sukhoi ’ s Su - 27 Flanker with forward canards , foldings wings , an arrester hook , a reinforced structure , and other modifications that help it deal with carrier operations and landings . At present , reports regarding the sale and China ’ s aircraft carrier intentions both remain somewhat murky . What is not in doubt , however , is that China has expressed interest and is presently in negotiations to acquire these aircraft , plus setting up a program to train naval air cadets , seems to be adding more credibility to the rumors . On June 4 , 2009 , UPI reported that Eastern European sources had reported that preparations had been completed to construct an Aircraft Carrier at Changxing Island Shipyard . Current inventory . Fighter aircraft RECCE Bomber and maritime strike aircraft Maritime surveillance and patrol aircraft Transports and trainers Aerial refueling Reserve aircraft Currently , helicopters are the only ship - based aircraft in the PLANAF . They include :