China is continuing to induct SAC J-16 multirole fighters into the service as part of its modernisation of the air force. (VCG via Getty Images/Qian Baihua)

China has augmented its operational units with additional numbers of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-16 multirole and Chengdu Aircraft Industries (Group) Company (CAC) J-20 stealth fighter aircraft.

Janes assesses that China may have inducted 15 new SAC J-16s and 11 CAC J-20 fifth-generation stealth fighters into service since January 2023. These inductions support ongoing efforts by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to replace its older aircraft.

With these additions, the PLAAF potentially has 233 J-16s in service (not counting seven specialist J-16D electronic warfare (EW) aircraft) and as many as 127 J-20As, according to Janes Satellite Imagery and Analysis (JSIA).

The data suggest that J-20As are augmenting PLAAF air brigades equipped with CAC J-10 Meng Long single-engine fighters and J-16s. In some cases, such as with the 56th Air Brigade, J-20As could be replacing J-10B and J-10AS aircraft operational within that unit.

China is continuing to induct SAC J-16 multirole fighters into the service as part of its modernisation of the air force. (VCG via Getty Images/Qian Baihua)

China has augmented its operational units with additional numbers of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-16 multirole and Chengdu Aircraft Industries (Group) Company (CAC) J-20 stealth fighter aircraft.

Janes assesses that China may have inducted 15 new SAC J-16s and 11 CAC J-20 fifth-generation stealth fighters into service since January 2023. These inductions support ongoing efforts by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to replace its older aircraft.

With these additions, the PLAAF potentially has 233 J-16s in service (not counting seven specialist J-16D electronic warfare (EW) aircraft) and as many as 127 J-20As, according to Janes Satellite Imagery and Analysis (JSIA).

The data suggest that J-20As are augmenting PLAAF air brigades equipped with CAC J-10 Meng Long single-engine fighters and J-16s. In some cases, such as with the 56th Air Brigade, J-20As could be replacing J-10B and J-10AS aircraft operational within that unit.

China is continuing to induct SAC J-16 multirole fighters into the service as part of its modernisation of the air force. (VCG via Getty Images/Qian Baihua)

China has augmented its operational units with additional numbers of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-16 multirole and Chengdu Aircraft Industries (Group) Company (CAC) J-20 stealth fighter aircraft.

Janes assesses that China may have inducted 15 new SAC J-16s and 11 CAC J-20 fifth-generation stealth fighters into service since January 2023. These inductions support ongoing efforts by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to replace its older aircraft.

With these additions, the PLAAF potentially has 233 J-16s in service (not counting seven specialist J-16D electronic warfare (EW) aircraft) and as many as 127 J-20As, according to Janes Satellite Imagery and Analysis (JSIA).

The data suggest that J-20As are augmenting PLAAF air brigades equipped with CAC J-10 Meng Long single-engine fighters and J-16s. In some cases, such as with the 56th Air Brigade, J-20As could be replacing J-10B and J-10AS aircraft operational within that unit.

China is continuing to induct SAC J-16 multirole fighters into the service as part of its modernisation of the air force. (VCG via Getty Images/Qian Baihua)

China has augmented its operational units with additional numbers of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-16 multirole and Chengdu Aircraft Industries (Group) Company (CAC) J-20 stealth fighter aircraft.

Janes assesses that China may have inducted 15 new SAC J-16s and 11 CAC J-20 fifth-generation stealth fighters into service since January 2023. These inductions support ongoing efforts by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to replace its older aircraft.

With these additions, the PLAAF potentially has 233 J-16s in service (not counting seven specialist J-16D electronic warfare (EW) aircraft) and as many as 127 J-20As, according to Janes Satellite Imagery and Analysis (JSIA).

The data suggest that J-20As are augmenting PLAAF air brigades equipped with CAC J-10 Meng Long single-engine fighters and J-16s. In some cases, such as with the 56th Air Brigade, J-20As could be replacing J-10B and J-10AS aircraft operational within that unit.

China is continuing to induct SAC J-16 multirole fighters into the service as part of its modernisation of the air force. (VCG via Getty Images/Qian Baihua)

China has augmented its operational units with additional numbers of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-16 multirole and Chengdu Aircraft Industries (Group) Company (CAC) J-20 stealth fighter aircraft.

Janes assesses that China may have inducted 15 new SAC J-16s and 11 CAC J-20 fifth-generation stealth fighters into service since January 2023. These inductions support ongoing efforts by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to replace its older aircraft.

With these additions, the PLAAF potentially has 233 J-16s in service (not counting seven specialist J-16D electronic warfare (EW) aircraft) and as many as 127 J-20As, according to Janes Satellite Imagery and Analysis (JSIA).

The data suggest that J-20As are augmenting PLAAF air brigades equipped with CAC J-10 Meng Long single-engine fighters and J-16s. In some cases, such as with the 56th Air Brigade, J-20As could be replacing J-10B and J-10AS aircraft operational within that unit.

China is continuing to induct SAC J-16 multirole fighters into the service as part of its modernisation of the air force. (VCG via Getty Images/Qian Baihua)

China has augmented its operational units with additional numbers of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-16 multirole and Chengdu Aircraft Industries (Group) Company (CAC) J-20 stealth fighter aircraft.

Janes assesses that China may have inducted 15 new SAC J-16s and 11 CAC J-20 fifth-generation stealth fighters into service since January 2023. These inductions support ongoing efforts by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to replace its older aircraft.

With these additions, the PLAAF potentially has 233 J-16s in service (not counting seven specialist J-16D electronic warfare (EW) aircraft) and as many as 127 J-20As, according to Janes Satellite Imagery and Analysis (JSIA).

The data suggest that J-20As are augmenting PLAAF air brigades equipped with CAC J-10 Meng Long single-engine fighters and J-16s. In some cases, such as with the 56th Air Brigade, J-20As could be replacing J-10B and J-10AS aircraft operational within that unit.