Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 36:30-36:55

Will the PLA Navy receive the air force's land-based fighters?

Ownership of land-based fighters raises an interservice political question beyond their ability to support maritime operations.

Chinese NavyCommand StructureInterservice RivalryLand Based AircraftNaval AviationPLA Air Force
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Question

Will the Chinese Navy be given the PLA Air Force's land-based fighters?

Short answer

Probably not; politics and command ownership are the reasons given for expecting the aircraft to remain with the PLA Air Force.

Notes

The proposal would move land-based fighters from the PLA Air Force to the navy. The expectation here is that the aircraft will remain with their existing service. Politics and command relationships are the stated obstacle. The brief reply does not set out a replacement arrangement for coordinating the two services.