THE PLA Air Force has become “Wings of Wonders” after 77 years through hard work, modernization and innovation marching towards greater “integration” and “invisibility” even beyond the outer space. It has become “icon” of global stealth superiority protecting its space, “sovereignty” and “national dignity”. Additionally, it has been dubbed as “wings of steel” and “hearts of fire” guarding its skies and space alike. Ultimately, precision has become its “strategic language” and the sky is its canvas. 11 November 2026, marked the 77th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force a “milestone” that reflects more than seven decades of sustained institutional, doctrinal and technological evolution.
Obviously, since its inception the PLA Air Force has steadily advanced toward its strategic objective of integrating air and space capabilities while coordinating offensive and defensive operations, transitioning from a territorial air-defense force into a multi-domain, system-based strategic air arm which is commendable. Thus, it has an ideal combination of offensive and defensive operations. Definitely, the public debut of the J-35A medium stealth multirole fighter has expanded the Air Force’s traditional “three swordsmen” the J-20 stealth fighter, J-16 fighter, and J-10C fighter into a new “four swordsmen” lineup incorporating two types of stealth fighters. Alongside the J-10 series and the GJ-11 stealth unmanned aerial which is revealing its high-stealth characteristics constitutes a commendable buildup to its 77th anniversary.
The comparative studies of the modern global military modernization history reveals that modern air combat no longer a duel between single aircraft but a contest of integrated systems. Fighters, bombers, early warning aircraft, tankers, electronic warfare aircraft, transport aircraft, reconnaissance UAVs and stealth UAVs each perform specialized roles and operate in close coordination to build a layered air and space defense line. In modern days, the PLA Air Force’s system-based combat capability has undergone profound change and made great leaps. The further strengthening of information, early warning aircraft system, data linking function, closely linking stealth fighters, UAVs, ground radar and air defense systems has enabled it to achieve seamless connection between “seeing far” and “striking accurately.”
It seems that aviation, ground-to-air missile, radar, airborne and electronic countermeasures has become integration secret/strength of the Chinese air force, transforming it into a modern strategic air force’s combat power. Hence, it builds a comprehensive, three-dimensional air and space defense system that is the core support for system-based air combat. Comparative military history illustrates the scale of this transformation. At the 1949 military parade marking the founding of the People’s Republic of China, there were so few aircraft that they had to fly past twice to fill out the formation. After 77 years of hard work, the PLA Air Force started from that difficult position and gradually built a mature air and space combat system, completing a great strategic transition from homeland air defense to integrating air and space capabilities while coordinating offensive and defensive operations. So, the main combat equipment system has continued to build and develop.
This doctrinal shift corresponds to a broader model of air force modernization: from platform-centric attrition toward network-centric, system-of-systems employment; from reactive territorial defense toward proactive multi-domain deterrence; and from single-service operations toward joint all-domain command and control. Thus, the integration and system empowerment across multiple services and aircraft types are essential to this model, in which information advantage; stealth, electronic warfare, and unmanned-crewed teaming converge into a single operational architecture. Definitely, a series of broader international operations has pushed domestic air power from “able to fly” toward “able to deploy far, coordinate across services, and operate in unfamiliar environments.”
A highlight was the August deployment of fighters, tankers, special mission aircraft, and helicopters as a system to the China-Egypt “Eagles of Civilization 2026” joint air training, focusing on air combat tactics, air superiority operations, combat search and rescue, and force employment drills. In September, an Air Force Y-20 transport aircraft carried multiple batches of relief supplies to Nepal for emergency humanitarian aid after mudslide disasters.
In February, the August 1st Aerobatic Team performed in Singapore its first public appearance there after switching to the J-10C and the complex, spectacular performance won wide praise. Interestingly, the use of Chinese aviation equipment continues to increase in foreign trade cooperation. China’s arms exports contribute strengthen regional peace and stability and help countries improve their foundational capacity for self-defense because the Air Force’s modernization serves to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests and to defend peace and stability.
In summary, the wings of PLA Air Force are “flying” high disseminating the message of “protection”, “precision”, “superiority” and national commitment “safeguarding” its sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is committed to “contribute” in the world peace, global development and a “defender” of the international order. It has become a “guarantor” of national sovereignty, security and development interests and a steadfast “guardian” of peace and stability through its force system for the future and accelerating modernization. Hopefully, with further strengthening of China’s technological and economic diversification the PLA Air Force and aviation industry are expected to develop further and rapidly, bringing greater miracles and more opportunities for the good of world peace.
The writer submits that PLA Air Force should further deepen its “integration” of air and space, accelerate unmanned-crewed teaming, strengthen joint all-domain command and control and expand expeditionary support consolidating its transition into a world-class strategic air force. Quantum technologies, robotic sciences and science & space disciplines should be part & parcel of the PLA Air Force.
—The writer is President, the Centre for Knowledge and Public Policy, Regional Expert: China, CPEC, BRI & World Affairs.
