Warpower:China



The WARPOWER series of sites take a unique, 'by-the-numbers', quick-reference approach to the current (2023) military capabilities of China. China is a formidable military power on the rise, broadening capabilities made possible by a growing indigeonous industrial base. This site details the inventory counts representing total available fleet power of air, land, and sea assets for the country as it strives to become evermore independent of foreign military solutions and technology.

Service Branches


The fighting forces of China are collectively managed under the People's Liberation Army banner and encompasses five major branches of service: the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF), the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF), and the People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force (PLASSF). The defense force was founded on August 1st, 1927.

Material Suppliers


Chinese national flag French national flag Russia national flag American national flag Italian national flag Canadian national flag

Primary and Secondary military suppliers, be they direct or indirect, past and present.

At-a-Glance



Global Rank
2
Russian national flag
RUS
3
Chinese national flag
CHI
4
Indian national flag
IND
Regional Rank
1
Russian national flag
RUS
2
Chinese national flag
CHI
3
Indian national flag
IND
Equipment
Modern | Cold War
Key Qualities

'Million Man' Army
Industrial Capability
Force Balance
[ Tap Anywhere to Close ]
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Total Units: 3,044


While initially impressive on paper, a detailed look into Chinese airpower reveals a 'copy-and-paste' approach to much of its frontline fighting elements. The entries are largely of Soviet, Russian, French, Israeli, or American in origination with few truly homegrown products to showcase. While their overall quality and battlefield effectiveness is largely unproven, the service does boast considerable numbers to throw to the fray in the event of total war. Modern Chinese air power is made possible primarily thanks to contributions from the old Soviets Empire as well as modenr Russia and - more recently - the French. Chinese Air Force, Army Aviation, and Naval Aviation forces are all shown below.
NOTES: According to the defense aggregate site GlobalFirepower.com, China is currently ranked as 3rd in the world according to total fleet number.


387
J-7
Fighter
AIR FORCE
315
J-11
Air Superiority
AIR FORCE
235
J-10
Multirole
AIR FORCE
120
H-6
Strategic Bomber
AIR FORCE
96
J-8
Interceptor
AIR FORCE
19
J-20
Air Superiority
AIR FORCE
17
Y-8
Electronic Warfare
AIR FORCE
14
KJ-500
AEW
AIR FORCE
7
Tu-154
Electronic Warfare
AIR FORCE
5
KJ-200
AEW
AIR FORCE
5
Challenger 870
Reconnaissance
AIR FORCE
4
KJ-2000
AEW
AIR FORCE
3
An-30
Electronic Warfare
AIR FORCE
2
Boeing 737
Maritime Patrol
AIR FORCE
1
Y-8
Reconnaissance
AIR FORCE
3
Il-78
Strategic Tanker
AIR FORCE
1
Y-20U
Strategic Tanker
AIR FORCE
81
Y-8
Tactical Transport
AIR FORCE
48
Y-7
Tactical Transport
AIR FORCE
32
Y-20
Strategic Transport
AIR FORCE
26
Il-76
Strategic Transport
AIR FORCE
24
Y-9
Tactical Transport
AIR FORCE
16
MA60
Regional Airliner
AIR FORCE
11
Y-12
Utility
AIR FORCE
2
Tu-154
Airliner
AIR FORCE
34
Z-8
Medium-Lift
AIR FORCE
16
Mi-17/171
Gunship/Transport
AIR FORCE
16
Z-9
Medium Utility
AIR FORCE
170
JL-8
Advanced Jet Trainer
AIR FORCE
39
Su-27
Fighter Trainer
AIR FORCE
35
JJ-7
Fighter Trainer
AIR FORCE
13
Y-7
Flight/Crew Trainer
AIR FORCE
2
L-15
Advanced Jet Trainer
AIR FORCE
242
Mi-17/171
Gunship/Transport
ARMY
175
Z-19
Recon/Attack
ARMY
106
Z-10
Attack Helo
ARMY
92
Z-9
Medium Utility
ARMY
67
Z-8
Medium-Lift
ARMY
46
Z-11
Light Utility
ARMY
23
Z-20
Multi-Mission
ARMY
93
H120
Helo Training
ARMY
1
H125
Helo Training
ARMY
47
J-8-II
Interceptor
NAVY
45
J-15
Multirole
NAVY
34
JH-7
Fighter-Bomber
NAVY
30
H-6
Strategic Bomber
NAVY
30
J-7
Fighter
NAVY
25
J-10
Multirole
NAVY
10
Y-8
Maritime Patrol
NAVY
9
Ka-31
AEW
NAVY
8
Y-8
AEW
NAVY
8
Y-8
Reconnaissance
NAVY
8
Y-9
AEW
NAVY
6
KJ-200
AEW
NAVY
3
SH-5
Search & Rescue
NAVY
1
Y-7
Search & Rescue
NAVY
1
Z-18
AEW
NAVY
17
Y-7
Tactical Transport
NAVY
16
Y-8
Tactical Transport
NAVY
3
MA60
Utility
NAVY
33
Z-9
Medium Utility
NAVY
17
Ka-28
ASW
NAVY
8
Mi-8
Transport
NAVY
6
AS365/565
Medium Utility
NAVY
2
Z-18
Medium Utility
NAVY
1
Ka-27
Medium Utility
NAVY
14
JJ-6
Fighter Trainer
NAVY
12
L-15
Advanced Jet Trainer
NAVY
5
Y-7
Flight/Crew Trainer
NAVY
1
JL-9
Advanced Jet Trainer
NAVY
Type Balance
Fixed-Wing
Rotorcraft

Total Units: 191,080


Historically, Chinese Land Forces have relied on the Soviet Union / Russia as its primary materials supplier though, more recently, this has become Western power France. Most notable today is the growing presence of local Chinese solutions to satisfy equally-local requirements in Main Battle Tank, Armored Fighting Vehicle, artillery, MRLS, and security vehicle categories. All told, the service manages and maintains nearly 200,000 armored and unarmored vehicles and a sizeable artillery force, ranking as one of the top four land forces anywhere in the world. The chart below showcases a noticeably large commitment to logistics which is understandable considering the sheer size of the Land Force.


2,500
ZTZ-96A/B
Main Battle Tank
635
ZTZ-99
Main Battle Tank
625
ZTZ-99A
Main Battle Tank
300
ZTZ-88A/B
Main Battle Tank
300
Type 79
Main Battle Tank
300
Type 59
Main Battle Tank
255
ZTQ-15
Light Tank
100
ZTS-63A
Amphib.Tank
2,100
ZBL-08
IFV
1,925
ZBD-04A
IFV
1,250
Type 86A
IFV
1,150
ZSL-92/B
IFV
1,000
Type 86
IFV
625
ZBD-05
Amphib.Assault
550
ZSD-89-II
IFV
400
ZBD-04
IFV
1,750
ZSD-89
APC
750
Type 63
APC
700
ZSL-92A
APC
525
ZSL-10
APC
525
ZSD-05
Amphib.Assault
420
ZSD-89A
APC
200
Type 63C
APC
150
ZFB-05
4x4 APC
500
VP22
MRAP
500
VP11
MRAP
500
CSK-181
Armored Assault
500
CSK-141
Armored Assault
500
CSK-131
Armored Assault
500
CS/VP4
ATV
1,000
CS/VP3
Scout Car
20,000
EQ2050
IMV
5,000
YJ2080
IMV
950
ZTL-11
Assault Gun
250
ZTD-05
Assault Gun
250
PTL-02
Assault Gun
450
AFT-09
Missile Carrier
450
AFT-8C/D/E
Missile Carrier
230
PTZ-89
Tank Destroyer
100
AFT-10
Missile Carrier
100
AFT-11
Missile Carrier
100
HJ-73D
Missile Carrier
500
PLZ-89
SP Artillery
350
PLL-09
SP Artillery
350
PLZ-07A
SP Artillery
320
PLZ-05
SP Artillery
300
PCL-161
SP Artillery
300
PCL-09
SP Artillery
200
PCL-181
SP Artillery
150
PLZ-07B
SP Artillery
150
PLZ-82/83
SP Artillery
100
PCL-171
SP Artillery
50
PLZ-85/70
SP Artillery
10
W90
SP Artillery
32,850
Logistics
Various
60,000
Utility
Various
16,200
Engineering
Various
12,250
Special
Various
2,100
PL-66
152mm Towed
500
PL-96
122mm Towed
350
PL-01
155mm Towed
234
PL-59
130mm Towed
1,920
Mortar Carriers
Various
1,110
Anti-Aircraft (SP)
Various
5,750
AAA (Towed)
Various
2,275
PH-63
MLRS (Towed)
550
PHL-81/90
MLRS 122mm
375
PHZ-89
MLRS 122mm
350
PHL-11
MLRS 122/220mm
175
PHL-03
MLRS 300mm
100
PHZ-11
MLRS 122/220mm
25
PHL-16
MLRS 370mm
25
SR-7
MLRS 300mm
12
PHL-21
MLRS 122mm
Type Balance
Tracked
Wheeled

Chinese military manpower by-the-numbers.


China's linherently arge population affords it one of the largest (if not the largest) standing armies in the world with some 3.1 million total personnel committed through the typical branches of service (Army, Navy, Air Force). This includes over 2 million active personnel making up over 60% of all available manpower. If pressed to war, the country will have a deep stable of applicants from who to choose from, allowing for victory through sheer strength-of-number even in a war of attrition. The Chinese have access to the usual staple of small arms (pistols, SMGs, rifles, sniper rifles, machine guns, mortars) and man-portable battlefield solutions including anti-aircraft and anti-tank missile systems.
NOTES: Values below used (with permission) from the military stats aggregator site www.GlobalFirepower.com, detailing the current strengths and weaknesses of modern military forces by-the-numbers.



Total Population
1,410,539,758
(100%)

Available Manpower
761,691,469
(54.0%)

Total Military Personnel (est.)
3,135,000
(0.2%)

Active Personnel
2,000,000
(0.1%)

Reserve Personnel
510,000
(0.0%)

Active Paramilitary
625,000
(0.0%)

Air Force Personnel
400,000
(0.0%)

Navy Personnel
300,000
(0.0%)

Army Personnel
2,545,000
(0.2%)

Total Units: 544


The chart below reflects a well-balanced modern navy with limitations seen in the Aircraft Carrier fleet (currently being addressed by the PLAN). The current core strength comes from the submarine and destroyer force backed by frigates and corvettes. A sizeable amphibious assault fleet reflects the Chinese desire to reunite the island of Taiwan to the Chinese mainland.


1
Liaoning
Aircraft Carrier
1
Shandong
Aircraft Carrier
1
Fujian
Aircraft Carrier
6
Type 094/094A
Ball.Msl.Sub
1
Type 032
Ball.Msl.Sub
2
Type 093
Nuclear-Attk Sub
4
Type 093A
Nuclear-Attk Sub
3
Type 091
Nuclear-Attk Sub
4
Type 039A
Attack Sub
13
Type 039B
Attack Sub
3
Type 039C
Attack Sub
1
Type 039
Attack Sub
5
Type 039G
Attack Sub
7
Type 039G1
Attack Sub
10
Type 035A
Attack Sub
4
Type 035B
Attack Sub
1
Project 877EKM
Attack Sub
2
Project 636
Attack Sub
8
Project 636M
Attack Sub
8
Type 055
Destroyer
29
Type 052D
Destroyer
6
Type 052C
Destroyer
2
Type 051C
Destroyer
2
Type 052B
Destroyer
1
Type 051B
Destroyer
2
Type 052
Destroyer
2
Type 956E
Destroyer
2
Type 956EM
Destroyer
33
Type 054A
Frigate
2
Type 054
Frigate
7
Type 053H3
Frigate
2
Type 053H1G
Frigate
1
Type 053H1
Frigate
22
Type 056
Corvette
50
Type 056A
Corvette
64
Mine Warfare
Various
127
Coastal Boats
Various
105
Amphib.Assault
Various

Ranks of the various military services of the nation of the China.


Ranks are listed below, lowest ('OR', Enlisted) to highest ('OF', Officer). Translations / comparable ranks are provided.


Chinese Army Ranks (arranged Lowest-to-Highest)
Lie Bing
(Private)
OR-1
Shang Deng Bing
(Lance Corporal)
OR-2
Xia Shi
(Corporal)
OR-3
Zhong Shi
(Sergeant)
OR-4
Shang Shi
(Staff Sergeant)
OR-5
Si Ji Jun Shi Zhang
(Master Sergeant)
OR-6
San Ji Jun Shi Zhang
(Master Sergeant 3rd Class)
OR-7
Er Ji Jun Shi Zhang
(Master Sergeant 2nd Class)
OR-8
Yi Ji Shun Shi Zhang
(Master Sergeant 1st Class)
OR-9
Xue Yuan
(Officer Cadet)
OFC
Shao Wei
(Second Lieutenant)
OF-1
Zhong Wei
(First Lieutenant)
OF-2
Shang Wei
(Captain)
OF-3
Shao Xiao
(Major)
OF-4
Zhong Ziao
(Lt Colonel)
OF-5
Shang Xiao
(Colonel)
OF-6
Da Xiao
(Senior Colonel)
OF-7
Shao Jiang
(Major General)
OF-8
Zhong Jiang
(Lieutenant General)
OF-9
Shang Jiang
(General)
OF-10


Chinese Navy Ranks (arranged Lowest-to-Highest)


Chinese Air Force Ranks (arranged Lowest-to-Highest)
Kongjun Lie Bing
(Private)
OR-1
Kongjun Shang Deng Bing
(Private First Class)
OR-2
Kongjun Xia Shi
(Corporal)
OR-3
Kongjin Zhong Shi
(Sergeant)
OR-4
Kongjun Shang Shi
(Staff Sergeant)
OR-5
Kongjun Si Ji Jun Shi Zhang
(Master Sergeant 4th Class)
OR-6
Kongjun San Ji Jun Shi Zhang
(Master Sergeant 3rd Class)
OR-7
Kongjun Er Ji Jun Shi Zhang
(Master Sergeant 2nd Class)
OR-8
Kongjun Yi Ji Jun Shi Zhang
(Master Sergeant 1st Class)
OR-9
Xue Yuan
(Officer Cadet)
OFC
Shao Wei
(Second Lieutenant)
OF-1
Zhong Wei
(First Lieutenant)
OF-2
Shang Wei
(Captain)
OF-3
Shao Xiao
(Major)
OF-4
Zhong Xiao
(Lieutenant Colonel)
OF-5
Shang Xiao
(Colonel)
OF-6
Da Xiao
(Senior Colonel)
OF-7
Shao Jiang
(Major General)
OF-8
Zhong Jiang
(Lieutenant General)
OF-9
Shang Jiang
(General)
OF-10
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