Every Chinese Military Aircraft in Service (2026)
Overview
🇨🇳 China operates 3,440 aircraft across 36 distinct types as of 2026. This page assembles every type currently in active service — fighters, bombers, helicopters, transports, trainers, and unmanned systems — with profile drawings, operating branch, and fleet counts. For the full historical list including retired types, see every Chinese military aircraft ever operated.
Fleet size by branch
| Service | Active | Types |
|---|---|---|
| People's Liberation Army Air Force, People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force | 2,581 | 31 |
| People's Liberation Army Ground Force | 859 | 11 |
Fighters & Combat Aircraft
11 types · 1,986 active airframes · 50 on order.
Military Helicopters
11 types · 1,019 active airframes · 80 on order.
Transport & Tanker Aircraft
10 types · 413 active airframes.
Special Mission Aircraft
2 types · 6 active airframes.
Trainers
2 types · 16 active airframes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many aircraft does the China military operate in 2026?
China operates 3,440 aircraft across 36 distinct types as of 2026, split between 2 service branches.
Which China service branch has the most aircraft?
The People's Liberation Army Air Force, People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force operates the largest fleet with 2,581 active airframes across 31 types.
What is the most numerous China military aircraft?
The Chengdu J-7 Fishcan is the single most numerous airframe in China's inventory, with 417 active units.
Does this page include retired or stored aircraft?
No. Counts reflect airframes on active inventory in the most recent fleet snapshot. Retired, stored and test-only aircraft are excluded.