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Noted for its exceptional performance, the Sukhoi Su-27 is not only
one of the most capable fourth-generation fighters, but its
development history is also remarkably rich. The 'Flanker' story
took on a new industrial and political dimension when the Su-27 was
chosen by China to meet the People's Liberation Army Air Force's
requirement for a new fourth-generation type. This was a
win-win-situation: Russia received a much-needed
multi-billion-dollar contract and the PLAAF, for the first time,
obtained a true high-end fourth-generation fighter. However, what
followed was a complex drama, with both sides telling different
stories. Following the direct sale from Russia, China obtained a
contract for licence manufacturing. This yielded mixed success in
the beginning and by the time the manufacturing procedures had
evolved and improved, the licenced J-11 fighters no longer met the
PLAAF's requirements. Subsequently, China developed indigenous
variants of the 'Flanker' equipped with improved avionics, weapons,
and engines, which Russia regards as a breach of the formal
agreement. Regardless of whether these 'Sino-Flankers' are illegal
copies, evolved clones or indigenous versions, the Chinese
'Flanker' series ultimately evolved into a wide range of variants,
sometimes with no true counterparts in Russia. This book provides a
full overview of the Chinese 'Flanker' family, describing the
genesis of this family and providing a review of the variants,
their systems, and capabilities and how they are used by the
People's Liberation Army.
The international community has not only acknowledged China's
continuing rise as a world power but has also closely observed
Beijing regain its place in the international community and grow to
become a dominant player in the Far East. Despite the difficulty in
obtaining relevant information, Harpia's Modern Chinese Warplanes
series has filled an important void in recent years, focusing on
the current situation, the structure of this growing force, its
order of battle, and the latest types in service and under
development. Now, and in order to commemorate the 70th anniversary
of the People's Liberation Army Air Force on 11 November 2019, this
new book turns its attention to the history since Mao's Communist
Party took control of the country in 1949. Chinese Air Power in the
20th Century examines the different periods, explains the political
events behind them and they connect to military developments,
individual structure and capabilities. The title also includes an
assessment of how the political climate influenced the design and
development of the country's major military aircraft including the
fighters, attack aircraft and bombers created by the Chinese
aviation industry after World War II. This also includes a number
of design proposals which, for various reasons, were rejected or
abandoned. This comprehensive directory provides a lavishly
illustrated, in-depth analysis and overview of the historical
gestation of the PLAAF and its path to becoming the modern air arm
we know today.
Compared to the People's Liberation Army Air Force and Naval
Aviation, the PLA's Army Aviation is the least known und understood
of the country's air arms. Its formation was only approved in 1986
and it was established as the Army Aviation Corps in January 1988,
using helicopters inherited from the Air Force. Beginning as a
single regiment, the first true Army Aviation brigade was formed in
2009 and the force has now expanded to around a dozen frontline
units operating hundreds of different helicopters. In its current
form, Army Aviation has established itself as a major force in
support of the PLA Ground Forces. In April 2017 - and in parallel
with China's other two air arms - the Army Aviation began a
dramatic reorganisation. The former PLA Group Armies were
restructured, and the aviation units have undergone major changes.
This trend has included not only the introduction of larger numbers
of more modern helicopters, but also the establishment of newly
numbered aviation brigades. Consequently, while the PLA Ground
Forces generally face a reduction in numbers, the Army Aviation
brigades will probably see expansion, not only in size but also in
operational importance. Complementing Harpia's two fully revised
volumes dedicated to the PLAAF and Naval Aviation, this uniquely
compact yet comprehensive directory provides a magnificently
illustrated, in-depth analysis and directory of modern Chinese Army
Aviation air power. It is organised in four parts: the most
important military aircraft and their weapons in service today;
aircraft markings and serial number systems; recent modernisation
efforts and structural reforms and orders of battle for the PLA's
Army Aviation.
Due to China's strong dependence/reliance on its economic
development but also due to its rising political ambitions with the
aim to resume a central role in the regional and global affairs, it
is vital for China to show some sort of military presence in its
area of influence. Consequently, within the past decade, China's
military - in both strategic considerations and the modernisation
of procedures and material as well - has undergone some of the most
profound reforms since its establishment and the Chinese Navy and
its Naval Air Arm play an ever more increasing role to achieve
these goals. The 2016-released National 'white paper' has
emphasized a greater focus on the seas and clearly stated that
China's has to establish itself as a major maritime power.
Consequently, the PLN will shift its focus from 'offshore waters
defence' to an 'open seas protection'. That means in parallel to
the PLAAF's modernisations, the changes for the PLN - and
concerning the scope off the book the PLANAF - will be probably
even more dramatic when the PLANAF creates a modern, capable 'Blue
Water' force. In terms of modern systems, the PLNAF will steadily
increase its naval capabilities by introducing more modern
multirole-capable systems but most important by the establishment
of an indigenous carrier force. Similar to the original /Modern
Chinese Warplanes/and /Flashpoint China/ books, this uniquely
compact yet comprehensive directory serves as a magnificently
illustrated, in-depth analysis and directory of modern Chinese
Naval Air Power. It is organised in four parts: the most important
military aircraft and their weapons found in PLANAF service today;
aircraft markings and serial number systems; the recent
modernization efforts and structural reforms and orders of battle
for the People's Liberation Naval Air Force.
In 2012 the original Modern Chinese Warplanes set the standard as a
uniquely compact yet comprehensive directory of modern Chinese air
power, combining magnificent illustrations and in-depth analysis.
Now almost six years later, much of the fascination that Chinese
military aviation holds for the analyst and enthusiast still stems
from the thick veil of secrecy that surrounds it. However, in the
time that has passed since the first edition a plethora of new
types, systems and weapons has been revealed. What is more, the
structure of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has
been completely revised by transforming the former Military Regions
into Theatre Commands. In parallel, the general structure has been
thoroughly modernised to cope with China's latest challenges.
Consequently, this fully revised edition is organised in three
parts: the most important military aircraft and their weapons found
in service today; aircraft markings and serial number systems; and
orders of battle for the PLAAF. The study includes the latest
developments emerging from behind the 'Great Wall', including the
J-20 stealth fighter programme, Y-20 strategic transport and the
latest developments in UAVs that are equipping a rapidly
modernising air arm. The centrepiece consists of almost 100 fully
illustrated pages detailing the organisational structure of the air
force, providing an easy-to-use review of all known flying units,
their equipment and their markings. No other book has ever
attempted to present this level of accuracy in this way: Modern
Chinese Air Power portrays the PLAAF in a degree of detail that was
previously unavailable.
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