During his “meet-the-press” prior to Air Force Day, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Amar Preet Singh emphasized the delay in the manufacture of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and pointed out how China had surpassed the United States in terms of both technology and aircraft production capacity. However, he highlighted that China lagged behind in terms of exposure to foreign training programs and combat experience.
The Chinese realized early on, as did the Americans and the Russians, that whomever controls aircraft controls this world. They started establishing factories to manufacture airplanes, first with assistance from the Soviet Union and then with the Americans so they could acquire improved technologies during their honeymoon period. They made a significant contribution to aeronautical research and development as they emerged as an economic force. They simultaneously made jumps into space.
The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is quickly evolving into an air force with a global reach from a tactical, army-centric force today. Modern airborne platforms are being developed and produced by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), which is quickly catching up to the best in the world. Currently ranking among the top 10 worldwide are three Chinese defense manufacturing enterprises.
Additionally, PLAAF is attempting to realign its flying tactics and training. Even for operations, there is a lot more focus on technology assistance. In line with Xi Jinping’s ambition to transform the PLA into a military force of “world-class proportions,” the PLAAF is modernizing its operational doctrine, missions, and duties. This includes prioritizing personnel development and focusing on long-range precision strikes. Specialization is being developed for information operations, early warning systems, army support, air defense, offensive operations, reconnaissance, and surveillance, as well as for strategic transport forces.
“Coordinated offensive and defensive operations and integrated air and space capabilities” are other goals held by the PLAAF. Now, space-based sensors and technologies are used by the majority of PLAAF platforms. Using network-based operational planning, the PLAAF is preparing for the hybrid character of warfare, which includes effect-based and precise operations. Despite its limited exposure to contemporary air exercises and military confrontation, the PLAAF is making an effort to make up for it with cutting-edge platforms, weaponry, and cooperative training.
Including trainers and unmanned aerial vehicles, the PLAAF has around 2,500 aircraft, of which 1,700 are combat aircraft, making it the largest air force in the area and the third largest in the world. In several areas, including electronic warfare, command and control, and aircraft performance, the PLAAF is catching up to the air forces of the West.
The PLAAF is shifting its focus from territorial air defence to forward-postured offensive defence. The PLAAF is boosting its capabilities for strategic early warning, long-range precision air strikes, air and missile defence, information countermeasures, airborne operations, strategic projection, and comprehensive support.
President Xi Jinping is spearheading China’s aspirations in space, aviation, and maritime capabilities. There are currently service-specific plans in the Chinese Air Force. Air deterrence, air offensive, air blockade, and maritime and ground force support operations are currently the PLAAF’s main responsibilities. Large-scale strikes would be carried out as part of an air assault, which aims to establish early victory conditions, quickly achieve air superiority, and diminish an enemy’s ability to conduct military operations. In order to cut off the enemy’s supply lines, attacks on airfields, seaports, and air, land, and sea transportation routes would be necessary. Crucial choke points and logistics facilities would also be targeted. Airborne operations, theater and strategic airlift, and close air support on the battlefield would also be included.
China has a sizable fourth-generation plus aircraft fleet that is rapidly expanding, with nearly 300 fifth-generation J-20 fighter aircraft built. The J-10, J-11B, J-16, Su-27, Su-30 MKK, and Su-35 are among the approximately 1,200 contemporary fighters in the PLAAF’s inventory. It is currently limited to the fourth generation and beyond. For use by the PLAAF, PLA Navy, and for exports, the second fifth-generation fighter, FC-31/J-31, is being brought back to life. By 2035, China intends to have 1,000 J-20s at par with the US Air Force. They use combat technology that is network-centric in design. China has succeeded in creating its own aircraft engines. The same is undergoing more refinement.
China’s bomber fleet consists of H-6 Badger bomber versions, and the PLAAF has made efforts to preserve and improve their operational efficacy. With its six ALCMs and more efficient turbofan engines, the extended-range H-6K variant can deliver precise, long-range strikes. To attack targets in the region and around the world, the PLAAF is creating new H-20 stealth bombers with a range of medium to long. By 2025, initial operational clearance (IOC) is the desired outcome. There aren’t any bombers in the IAF, although a squadron of fighters can carry comparable weapons.
In addition to the approximately 17 Russian Il-76 aircraft (40 ns), China already possesses about 70 Y-20 heavy transport aircraft (66-tonne payload). Over a distance of 7800 miles, Y-20 can carry up to two Type 15 tanks or one Type 99A tank. It has Russian engines, the same as the Il-76. The WS-20 engine, the Chinese counterpart, is almost ready. Y 20 features AEW&C versions and fly refueling. About 30 AEW&C in the KJ-2000, KJ-200, and KJ-500 classes are now available in China. The biggest is based on IL-76. The integrated air defense system network of a nation is expanded by these aircraft. However, given its continental extent and potential for conflict with the USA, the numbers are still insufficient. China, on the other hand, only has 20 FRA, of which eight are Xian YY-20A. The numbers will go up soon. China also has nearly 25 dedicated electronic warfare aircraft.
The Z-10 attack helicopter is equipped with a HJ-10 Air-to-Ground Missile (AGM), which is akin to the AGM-114 Hellfire, and was co-designed with the Russian Kamov Design Bureau. The smaller version is called Z-19. Chinese Z-18 medium transport helicopters are capable of transporting five tonnes of cargo or 27 personnel. The AEW variant is Z-18J. The Chinese counterpart of the Sikorsky S-70 is the Z-20 helicopter.
For many years, the primary training aircraft has been the Nanchang CJ-6. The Jet trainer is Hongdu JL-8. Pakistan exports the Karakorum K-8 version of the same product to other nations in Asia and Africa. A supersonic lead-in fighter trainer is the Hongdu L-15. China has produced trainers domestically with success.
With the support of a sizable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sector that includes private start-ups, China has a growing fleet of high-end military drones. All types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are manufactured by them, such as stealth, VTOL, micro-UAVs, unmanned airships, flying wings, sailplanes, flying discs resembling UFOs, and even ornithopters (flapping wings). The BZK-005 (Giant Eagle) is the Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone currently in use by the PLAAF. The export-oriented Wing Loong I and Wing Loong II systems are the basis for the GJ-1 and GJ-2, two MALE UAVs with the ability to perform the strike role.
They are regarded as MQ-1 and MQ-9’s respective equivalents. The WZ-7 (Divine Eagle) high-altitude (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle is propelled by jets. The WZ-8 is a supersonic reconnaissance UAV, and the GJ-11 (Sharp Sword) is a stealthy UAV. Among other concepts, GJ-11 could be applied to autonomous missions, autonomous swarming, manned-unmanned-teaming (MUMT), and loyal wingman. The manned AEW&C platforms will be enhanced by the Divine Eagle AEW variant. The American Global Hawk HALE UAV and the “Anjian” (Dark Sword) UCAV are both delta-winged vehicles. Similar in appearance to the US General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is the CH-4. The CH-3 may carry an air-to-surface missile (ASM) and an anti-radiation missile (ARM) in addition to having a semi-active laser. China has sponsored the Burraq UAV, which is manufactured in Pakistan and is based on the CH3 UAV. Evidently, China has a big stable of home-made UAVs and is much ahead of India in this regard.
The PLAAF is creating munitions that is intelligent, precise, and capable of surgical strikes. With an estimated range of 180 kilometers, they have IR/TV guided Air to Surface Missiles (ASM) for both land and marine targets. The PLAAF is equipped with supersonic anti-radiation missiles manufactured in China and Russia (KH 31P, YJ-91). Bombs with laser and satellite guidance are kept in stock. The most recent PL-12 and PL-21 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air missiles (AAM) are among the best; they can reach farther than their Western counterparts, such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM and Meteor. There are also a lot of Russian R-27, R-77, and R-73 AAMs in China. The AWACS killers are the extended-range radar-guided PL-15 and PL-21.
China possesses a sizable stockpile of 2,000 km-range DH-10 land-attack cruise missiles and their air launch variants. Russian-supplied SA-20 (S-300PMU1/2) battalions and locally made CSA-9 (HQ-9) battalions are among the PLAAF’s SAMs. CSA-X-19 (HQ-19) is the name of the ballistic missile defense weapon made in the country. China has purchased six Russian S-400 air defense system batteries.
Six airborne brigades, one aviation brigade, a special operations brigade, and a support brigade make up the PLA Airborne Corps, which is part of the PLAAF. The airborne troops are intended to disrupt the enemy’s offensive preparations by conducting a preemptive strike on their primary military targets in the rear area. Currently, light tanks and self-propelled artillery allow the PLAAF to raise a division of 11,000 soldiers. In less than a day, the Airborne Corps has proven that it can transport a regiment and paratroopers to any location in China using light armored vehicles. When compared to India’s paramilitary regiments, this capability is much greater.
The PLAAF and other PLA land and naval units often engage in drills. Large-scale force encounters are among them. In the Tibet region, they exercise often, and recently, even during the winter, the frequency of their workouts has grown. Since 2011, the PLAAF has conducted regular Shaheen series of exercises with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). In addition to promoting interoperability between the two sides, the exercise exposed the PAF to the capabilities of the SU-30. The F-16’s use was restricted by the Americans. However, in their interactions with Pakistani pilots, the Chinese have provided sufficient advice regarding the F-16s. Additionally, there are rumors that some PLAAF pilots are picking up English. The Chinese now provide the majority of the aircraft and equipment used by the Pakistan Air Force. Pakistan might be able to offer some airbases to China during hostilities.
China is aiming for intelligent warfare supported by artificial intelligence (AI) and has already attained networking and information-led operational capacity. Research and development for the sixth generation of fighter aircraft, which will fly alongside drones and include AI-integrated technologies, has advanced significantly. By 2035, aircraft should be inducted. China is making significant investments to develop jet engines and avionics. China has made significant progress in air-to-air missile technology. The PLAAF thinks they could take down many hundred million dollar AEW&C aircraft with a missile that costs one or two million dollars. China has already proven that it is capable of producing hypersonic missiles, which pose a threat to aircraft carriers in the United States or India. In space exploration, cyberspace, electronic warfare, quantum computing, and other fields, China is leading the way.
Also Read: China struggling to overcome demographic challenge
When it comes to the state of technology, the quantity of advanced platforms, and weaponry, China clearly outpaces India. The PLAAF can now cover a larger area of TAR airspace and is getting better at penetrating Indian airspace. The pinpointing and tracking power of China’s vast array of surveillance satellites with brief revisit intervals is greatly increased. China’s space program is well ahead of India’s. China launched 67 spacecraft in 2023, compared to India’s seven. China has launched its 35-satellite global space navigation system. The NavIC system in India is still being developed.
The goal of the PLAAF’s heightened emphasis on cyberspace, electronic warfare, and “base protection forces” is to elevate the force to a more modern and cutting edge. The Indian military is only now starting to use information warfare, cyberspace, and space resources.
The PLAAF is in favor of deploying cutting-edge weapons to project force so that “limited wars” can be won quickly. China would eliminate the opponent’s capacity for retaliation by executing coordinated deep attacks and concentrating superior weaponry. This proactive approach basically aims to move the fight into the territory of the enemy. The integrated command and control that is necessary for the unification of air and space defense is likewise indicated by PLAAF doctrine.
The fact that there are many more airfields at lower elevations and shorter distances gives the Indian Air Force a distinct advantage. The IAF can now fly more sorties across the Himalayas even if its fighter aircraft count is at an all-time low. China plans to employ long-range vectors and is expanding its airport network. The IAF has a distinct training advantage over all other air forces because it has experienced considerably more actual warfare and participates in more air drills with them.
The Indian Air Force must be rebuilt to 42 combat squadrons. While we must expedite the creation and production of domestic fighters, we also need to move quickly to acquire 114 fighters. Also, the IAF requires a lot more AWACS and FRA aircraft. Ammunition stockpiling, along with the inventory of surface-to-surface and cruise missiles, must increase. Additionally, facilities at forward airfields and along the Himalayan border need to be strengthened. India must also improve its capacity for electronic and cyberwarfare.
There must be more combat UAVs deployed. To improve its capacities for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, India needs a lot more satellites. India has to make significant investments in new technologies, R&D for defense, and “atmanirbhar” for defense production. Taking into account that the Chinese are positioned very next to our border, we might allocate funds beyond our budget to expedite the acquisition of essential skills. The society in China is closed. A large portion of the content produced by the media outlets under Chinese control is used in information warfare and influence operations (IWIO) to instill fear in the hearts of opponents. India needs to take precautions to avoid this. India is well-positioned to respond to any threat and needs to be vigilant because it has the largest economy that is expanding the fastest, as well as a high degree of willpower and training.
