People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force

People's Liberation Army, Naval Air Force 中国人民解放军海军航空兵
Flag of the People's Liberation Army Navy
Active	1955–present
Country	People's Republic of China
Allegiance	Communist Party of China
Branch	People's Liberation Army Navy
Size	26,000 personnel 710+ aircraft
Aircraft flown
Attack	Nanchang Q-5
Bomber	Xian H-6, Xian JH-7
Electronic warfare	KJ-200
Fighter	Chengdu J-7, Shenyang J-1, Shenyang J-15, Sukhoi Su-30MKK, Xian JH-7
Attack helicopter	Kamov Ka-27
Cargo helicopter	Mil Mi-8
Observation helicopter	Kamov Ka-31
Utility helicopter	Changhe Z-18, Harbin Z-9
Interceptor	Shenyang J-8
Patrol	Harbin SH-5, Ilyushin Il-28, Shaanxi Y-8
Trainer	Guizhou JL-9, Hongdu JL-8, Nanchang CJ-6, Shenyang J-5, Shenyang J-6
Transport	Shijiazhuang Y-5, Xian Y-7, Yakovlev Yak-42

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.

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.

Today, the PLANAF has a strength of around 26,000 personnel and 690+ aircraft. It operates similar aircraft to the People's Liberation Army Air Force, including fighters, bombers, strike aircraft, tankers, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, maritime patrol, seaplane, transport, training and helicopter types. The PLANAF has traditionally received older aircraft than the PLAAF and has taken less ambitious steps towards mass modernization. Advancements in new technologies, weaponry and aircraft acquisition were made after 2000. The modern day PLANAF is capable of performing a number of roles, and is quite numerically and technologically adept in anti-ship and air defense operations.