Every Chinese Military Aircraft — Complete List
China has operated 101 distinct aircraft types across its military history — 56 still in active service and 45 retired or former.
Service status101 types
Fighters & Combat Aircraft
23 types
Shenyang J-35
Status In service Service entry2025
J-20 Mighty Dragon
Status In service Service entry2017
J-16 Qianlong
Status In service Service entry2015
Su-35 Flanker-E
Status In service Service entry2014
J-15 Flying Shark
Status In service Service entry2013
J-10 Vigorous Dragon
Status In service Service entry2005
J-11 Responsive Dragon
Status In service Service entry1998
Su-30 Flanker-C
Status In service Service entry1996
JL-8
Status In service Service entry1994
JH-7 Flounder
Status In service Service entry1992
Su-27 Flanker
Status In service Service entry1985
J-8 Finback
Status In service Service entry1980
J-7 Fishcan
Status In service Service entry1966
MiG-21 Fishbed
Status In service Service entry1958
JF-17 Thunder
Status Retired Service entry2007
Q-5 / A-5 Fantan
Status Retired Service entry1970
J-6 Farmer
Status Retired Service entry1962
J-5 Fresco
Status Retired Service entry1957
MiG-19 Farmer
Status Retired Service entry1955
MiG-15 Fagot
Status Retired Service entry1949
MiG-9 Fargo
Status Retired Service entry1948
Il-10 Beast
Status Retired Service entry1944
Yak-9 Frank
Status Retired Service entry1942Strategic Bombers
7 types
Military Helicopters
25 types
Z-20
Status In service Service entry2019
Z-18
Status In service Service entry2018
Z-10
Status In service Service entry2012
Z-19
Status In service Service entry2012
Guimbal Cabri G2
Status In service Service entry2008
H225M / EC725 Caracal
Status In service Service entry2005
H120 / EC120 Colibri
Status In service Service entry1998
Z-11
Status In service Service entry1998
Ka-31
Status In service Service entry1995
Z-9 Haitun
Status In service Service entry1994
H125M / AS550 Fennec
Status In service Service entry1990
Z-8
Status In service Service entry1989
Ka-27 Helix
Status In service Service entry1982
AS332 Super Puma
Status In service Service entry1981
UH-60 Black Hawk
Status In service Service entry1979
Mi-17 Hip-H
Status In service Service entry1977
Mi-8 Hip
Status In service Service entry1967
H175
Status Retired Service entry2014
Ka-29 Helix-B
Status Retired Service entry1987
SA340 Gazelle
Status Retired Service entry1971
SA321 Super Frelon
Status Retired Service entry1966
SA316 Alouette III
Status Retired Service entry1961
Mi-6 Hook
Status Retired Service entry1959
Mi-4 Hound
Status Retired Service entry1953
Mi-1 Hare
Status Retired Service entry1950Transport & Tanker Aircraft
19 types
Y-20
Status In service Service entry2016
Y-9
Status In service Service entry2012
Y-12
Status In service Service entry1985
Y-8
Status In service Service entry1981
CL-600 Challenger
Status In service Service entry1980
Il-76 Candid
Status In service Service entry1974
Tu-154 Careless
Status In service Service entry1972
An-26 Curl
Status In service Service entry1969
An-30 Clank
Status In service Service entry1968
Boeing 737
Status In service Service entry1968
An-2 Colt
Status In service Service entry1947
Y-7
Status In service Service entry—
BAe 146
Status Retired Service entry1983
Il-86 Camber
Status Retired Service entry1980
M-18 Dromader
Status Retired Service entry1978
Yak-42 Clobber
Status Retired Service entry1977
An-12 Cub
Status Retired Service entry1959
Il-14 Crate
Status Retired Service entry1954
Douglas DC-3
Status Retired Service entry1936Special Mission Aircraft
6 types
Trainers
7 types
JL-10
Status In service Service entry2013
JL-9
Status In service Service entry2013
Nanchang CJ-6
Status In service Service entry1958
Ansat
Status Retired Service entry2013
Yak-11 Moose
Status Retired Service entry1946
Yak-18 Max
Status Retired Service entry1946
Po-2 Mule
Status Retired Service entry1929Unmanned Aircraft
14 types
WZ-7 Soaring Dragon
Status In service Service entry2018
CH-4 Rainbow
Status In service Service entry2011
Wing Loong I
Status In service Service entry2011BZK-005 Giant Eagle
Status In service Service entry—WJ-700
Status Retired Service entry2024
CH-7 Rainbow
Status Retired Service entry2022
GJ-11 Sharp Sword
Status Retired Service entry2021
WZ-8
Status Retired Service entry2019
Wing Loong II
Status Retired Service entry2018Wing Loong-10
Status Retired Service entry2016CH-5 Rainbow
Status Retired Service entry2015ASN-209 Silver Eagle
Status Retired Service entry2011
S-100 Camcopter
Status Retired Service entry2010IAI Harpy
Status Retired Service entry1989Other National Fleets
National fleets — aircraft in service by country
- 🇺🇸 United States · all-time
- 🇷🇺 Russia · all-time
- 🇨🇳 China · all-time
- 🇮🇳 India · all-time
- 🇰🇷 South Korea · all-time
- 🇯🇵 Japan · all-time
- 🇵🇰 Pakistan · all-time
- 🇰🇵 North Korea · all-time
- 🇪🇬 Egypt · all-time
- 🇹🇷 Turkey · all-time
- 🇫🇷 France · all-time
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia · all-time
- 🇮🇹 Italy · all-time
- 🇹🇼 Taiwan · all-time
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · all-time
- 🇮🇷 Iran · all-time
- 🇬🇷 Greece · all-time
- 🇩🇿 Algeria · all-time
- 🇩🇪 Germany · all-time
- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates · all-time
- 🇮🇱 Israel · all-time
- 🇧🇷 Brazil · all-time
- 🇪🇸 Spain · all-time
- 🇮🇩 Indonesia · all-time
- 🇵🇱 Poland · all-time
- 🇮🇶 Iraq · all-time
- 🇦🇺 Australia · all-time
- 🇨🇦 Canada · all-time
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine · all-time
- 🇦🇷 Argentina · all-time
Frequently Asked Questions
How many aircraft types has the China military ever operated?
China has operated 101 distinct aircraft types across its history and current inventory, including 56 still in active service and 45 retired or former types.
Does this list include retired China military aircraft?
Yes. This page covers every aircraft type the country has operated — past, present, and future — with a green In service, blue Entering service, or grey Retired status badge on each tile. For the current-only fleet, see the in-service listicle.
What about prototypes and test aircraft?
This page tracks operational service types. Pure prototypes, X-planes and test aircraft that never entered squadron service are not included.