People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force

The People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF; simplified Chinese: 中国人民解放军海军航空兵; traditional Chinese: 中國人民解放軍海軍航空兵; pinyin: Zhōngguó Rénmǐn Jiěfàng Jūn Hǎijūn Hángkōngbīng) is the naval aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army Navy.

Overview

Historically, the PLANAF's main role has been to provide the navy's warships with air defense coverage. Part of the coastal defense doctrine was to have naval aircraft protecting the ships, hence the reason why many PLA ships of the 1960s–70s lacked long range anti-aircraft missiles or artillery. During the Sino-Vietnamese War, the PLANAF carried out many successful bombing and airstrike missions against Vietnamese territories, such as in the Spratly Islands. The 1960s saw a series of air combat sorties flown against Taiwanese intruders. PLANAF pilots have been credited with many major victories over the Taiwanese in these small incidents. Historical aircraft operated by the PLANAF include the J-5, the J-6, and H-5. These aircraft have been retired by the late 1990s.