At the end of the 1980s, after a long political and ideological confrontation, sometimes turning into local armed clashes, there was a normalization of relations between the USSR and the PRC. The first major project in the framework of military-technical cooperation between the two countries was the supply of Su-27SK fighters to China.
On June 27, 1992, the first batch of 8 Su-27SK and 4 Su-27UBK entered the 9th regiment of the 3rd division of the PLA Air Force. In November, another 12 single-seater vehicles were received there.
In the photo: Su-27SK "19-blue" - the number on its air intake means that this aircraft, manufactured by KNAAPO, is a 20 aircraft of the 38 series
In addition to the direct delivery of ready-made combat aircraft to the PRC, an agreement was concluded with the Soviet side on the transfer of technical documentation and assistance in establishing licensed production.
In 1996, after lengthy negotiations between the Sukhoi Company and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), a contract was signed for the joint production of 200 Su-27SK under the designation J-11 in the amount of 2.5 billion US dollars. Under the terms of the contract, the J-11 was assembled at a plant in Shenyang from Russian components.
Assembled under a 1996 license contract, the J-11 fighter first took to the air in 1998. The first licensed aircraft entered the 6th regiment of the second division of the PLA Air Force, where they were used along with the Su-27SK delivered from Russia.
Google Earth snapshot: aircraft parking at the factory airfield in Shenyang
In total, 105 licensed J-11 fighters were assembled in the PRC. A significant number of aircraft were fitted with Chinese-made avionics. Having collected 105 J-11 aircraft, the Chinese abandoned the option for another 95 aircraft, citing the alleged "low combat characteristics" of Soviet fighters. In December 2003, the second stage of "Project 11" began - the first "own" J-11B created by the Chinese based on the Su-27SK took off.
With the saturation of fighter aviation units with Su-27SK and J-11B aircraft, the hopelessly outdated J-6 fighters, as well as early modifications of the J-8 interceptor, were withdrawn from service. J-7 aircraft are still in operation, but mainly for training purposes or in secondary directions.
Chinese J-11 fighters fly over Chomolungma - the highest peak in the world (8848 m)
In an effort to free itself from technological dependence on Russia, the Chinese industry has developed a number of elements and systems that made it possible to assemble fighters without Russian spare parts and adapt them for the use of local aviation weapons.
Promising Chinese fighter of the 5th generation J-20
The technologies and technical documentation received from the USSR and Russia made it possible to make a qualitative leap in the Chinese aviation industry, bringing it to a new level of development. In a short period of time, China has managed to catch up with a 30-year gap in this area. At present, despite the difficulties in creating modern aircraft engines with the required level of reliability, the PRC has the opportunity to create all types of combat aircraft, including fighters of the 5th generation.
It should be added here that, in addition to the production of new fighters, scientific and technical research in the aviation field, significant resources are spent in the PRC on the development of the airfield network. A large number of hard-surfaced airfield strips have been built on the territory of China, capable, if necessary, of accepting and operating all types of aircraft in service.
Airfield network of the PRC
Approximately 30% of these aerodromes are currently either not operated at all or operated with minimal traffic. But all of them are maintained in working order, the presence of such backup serviceable runways and a prepared airfield infrastructure allows, if necessary, to quickly disperse combat aircraft, removing it from under attack. In terms of the number of operational airfields with a hard surface runway, China significantly surpasses Russia.
In addition to modern combat aircraft, in the early 90s, the PLA experienced an urgent need for anti-aircraft systems that could replace the outdated counterparts of the Soviet S-75 air defense system.
Beijing's negotiations with Moscow on the purchase of modern air defense systems began back in 1991. After a public display at the Moscow air show in 1992, the S-300P air defense system, in 1993, deliveries of these complexes began to the PRC. Four S-300PMU divisions were ordered at a cost of $ 220 million. Prior to the start of deliveries, several dozen Chinese officers and civilian specialists were trained in Russia.
In 1993, 32 trailed launchers 5P85T with a KrAZ-265V tractor were delivered, which had 4 TPK with 5V55U missiles each and 4-8 spare missiles. In 1994, 120 additional missiles were delivered from Russia to conduct training firing. The complex is designed to engage 6 air targets simultaneously at a range of up to 75 km with two missiles being guided to each target.
The S-300PMU air defense system made a great impression on the Chinese specialists with its capabilities, before that there was nothing like it in the PRC. Anti-aircraft battalions were deployed to cover large administrative, industrial and military facilities.
Google Earth snapshot: the position of the C-300PMU air defense system in the suburbs of Beijing
In 1994, another contract was signed for the purchase of 8 advanced S-300PMU1 divisions worth $ 400 million. The agreement included the supply of 32 5P85SE / DE launchers on the MAZ-543M 4-axle chassis and 196 48N6E missiles for them. The improved missiles have a semi-active "escort through a missile" radar guidance system with a firing range increased to 150 km. Half of the contract was paid for by barter deals for the purchase of Chinese consumer goods, the remaining half - in hard currency.
An additional contract signed in 2001 worth $ 400 million provided for the purchase of 8 more S-300PMU-1 divisions with 32 launchers and 198 48N6E missiles. The acquired complexes from this batch were deployed in the Taiwan Strait region and around Beijing.
In 2003, China expressed its intention to order the improved S-300PMU2 Favorit, which were first offered by Russia on the international arms market in 2001. The order included 64 PU 5P85SE2 / DE2 and 256 ZUR 48N6E2. The first divisions were delivered to the customer in 2007. The improved complex can simultaneously fire at 6 air targets at a distance of up to 200 km and an altitude of up to 27 km. With the adoption of these complexes, China for the first time received limited capabilities to intercept ballistic missiles at ranges of up to 40 km.
According to Russian media reports, a total of 4 S-300PMU divisions, 8 S-300PMU1 divisions and 12 S-300PMU2 divisions have been delivered to China. Moreover, each divisional kit includes 6 launchers. As a result, it turns out that China acquired 24 S-300PMU / PMU1 / PMU2 divisions with 144 launchers.
Having gained experience in operating the S-300P air defense system, the Chinese wanted to establish licensed production of these complexes at home. However, the Russian leadership, already having experience in the "joint production" of Su-27 fighters and fearing the leakage of "critical technologies", did not go for it, and the development of a new air defense system in the PRC was carried out on its own.
Nevertheless, in the Chinese anti-aircraft complex HQ-9 (HongQi-9 "Red Banner - 9"), the features of the same S-300P are clearly visible. A number of design features and technical solutions of this complex were largely borrowed by Chinese engineers during the design of the HQ-9. However, it is incorrect to believe that this complex is a clone of the Russian S-300P.
PU SAM HQ-9
The HQ-9 air defense system uses a different rocket, which differs in geometric dimensions; for fire control, a CJ-202 phased array radar is used for fire control. The PU is placed on the chassis of a Chinese-made four-axle all-terrain vehicle.
The Chinese complex has a maximum firing range of about 125 km, a target height of 18,000 m, a minimum defeat height of 25 m, a range of ballistic target destruction from 7 to 25 km at altitudes from 2,000 to 15,000 m.
The brigade consists of six battalions, each equipped with its own command vehicle and fire control radar. The battalion is equipped with 8 launchers, the number of missiles ready for launch is 32.
The export version of this air defense system, the FD-2000, became the winner of the Turkish tender, having won the competition against the American Patriot system, the Russian S-400 and the European Aster. But under pressure from the United States, the results of the competition were canceled.
An upgraded version of the complex, designated HQ-9A, is currently in production. The HQ-9A is characterized by increased combat performance and effectiveness, especially in terms of anti-missile capabilities, achieved through improved electronic equipment and software.
There were reports in the media about the creation and adoption of the HQ-15 air defense system in the PRC, which is supposedly a clone of the S-300PMU-1. But reliable data on this anti-aircraft complex could not be found.
Back in 1991, the HQ-12 medium-range air defense system was first demonstrated at Le Bourget. The development of the complex began in the early 80s of the last century as a replacement for the outdated HQ-2 air defense system.
Self-propelled PU SAM medium-range HQ-12
However, its revision took a long time. Only in 2009, the complex was publicly shown, several HQ-12 batteries participated in a military parade dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the PRC. At the moment, about ten divisions of this type of air defense missile systems have been deployed.
It seems that the new Chinese medium-range air defense system, the HQ-16, turned out to be more successful. It is a "conglomerate" of advanced technical solutions borrowed from the Russian S-300P and Buk-M2. Unlike the Buk, the Chinese air defense system uses a “hot - vertical” start.
Medium-range air defense system HQ-16
The HQ-16 is equipped with 328 kg anti-aircraft missiles and has a firing range of 40 km. Self-propelled launcher is equipped with 4-6 missiles in transport and launch containers. The radar of the complex is capable of detecting air targets at a distance of 150 km. The elements of the air defense missile system are located on six-axle off-road vehicles.
Currently, several divisions of this complex are deployed in positions in the southwestern part of the PRC.
Google Earth snapshot: the position of the HQ-16 air defense system in the Chengdu area
The complex is capable of striking army, tactical and strategic aircraft, fire support helicopters, cruise missiles and remotely piloted aircraft. Provides effective repulsion of massive air raids by modern air attack weapons in conditions of intense electronic suppression. He is capable of performing a combat mission in various weather conditions. HQ-16 is a multi-channel complex. Its firepower can simultaneously fire at up to six targets, with up to four missiles targeting each of them from a single launcher. The target firing zone is circular in azimuth.
The PLA anti-aircraft missile forces of the PRC are armed with 110-120 anti-aircraft missile systems (divisions), a total of about 700 launchers. According to this indicator, China is second only to our country (about 1500 PU). Moreover, the share of modern air defense systems in the PLA is constantly increasing.
According to media reports, at the international aerospace show held in Zhuhai, agreement in principle was obtained for the sale of the latest Russian S-400 air defense systems to the PRC.
The parties are currently discussing the possibility of supplying China from two to four S-400 divisions, each of which includes eight launchers. At the same time, the customer insists on obtaining complete information about the tactical and technical characteristics of the anti-aircraft complex. Thanks to the acquisition of the S-400 complexes, China will be able to control the airspace not only over its territory, but also over Taiwan and the Japanese Senkaku Islands.
Google Earth snapshot: layout of the air defense system (colored squares and triangles) and radar (blue rhombuses) along the coast of the PRC
Most of the Chinese long and medium-range air defense systems are deployed along the coast of the country. It is in this region that the main part of the enterprises giving 70% of the country's GDP is located.
In the PRC, much attention is also paid to the development and improvement of air monitoring facilities. Obsolete stations, which are clones of Soviet radars of the 1950s, are being actively replaced with new ones.
Antenna post of radar JY-27
Perhaps the largest of the new VHF stations is the JY-27 broadband two-coordinate early warning radar.
According to the developers, this radar is capable of detecting stealthy aircraft at a great distance (the detection range of air targets is 500 km).
Radar Type 120
The Type 120 low-altitude target detection radar was a further development of the JY-29 / LSS-1 2D, capable of simultaneously tracking 72 targets at a distance of 200 km. In China, 120 such radars have been deployed, including as part of the HQ-9, HQ-12 and HQ-16 air defense systems.
Three-coordinate radar JYL-1 with a detection range of 320 km
Several new types of Chinese radar stations were shown at the Zhuhai International Aerospace Show, China Airshow 2014.
In addition to ground-based radars, China is actively engaged in the creation of AWACS aircraft. This is due to the fact that most modern Chinese fighters are deployed at bases along the sea coast. The depth of the fighter cover from the "watch at the airfield" position is about 150-250 km, provided that air targets are detected at a line of up to 500 km. Considering that air defense radars provide in most cases detection at ranges of up to 250-300 km and comparing this value with the depth of attack of air attack means, it becomes clear that the PLA naval fighter aircraft is not able to provide effective air defense from the "watch at the airfield" position. AWACS aircraft, patrolling the coast over neutral waters, are able to push back the line of detection of air targets.
In the mid-90s, an attempt was made in the PRC to create an AWACS aircraft with the involvement of foreign developers. As a result of negotiations between Russia, Israel and the PRC in 1997, a contract was signed for the joint development, construction and subsequent delivery of airborne early warning and control systems to China. It was assumed that the Russian TANTK them. G. M. Beriev will create an aircraft on the basis of the serial A-50 for the installation of an Israeli-made radio engineering complex with the EL / M-205 "Falcon" radar (PHALCON). The complex was to be based on the EL / M-205 multifunctional pulse-Doppler radar developed by the Israeli company Elta. It consists of three active phased antenna arrays, forming a triangle and located above the fuselage in a fixed mushroom fairing with a diameter of 11.5 m (larger than that of the E-3 and A-50).
But these plans were not destined to come true due to the powerful pressure from the United States. In the summer of 2000, Israel had to first suspend the implementation of the contract, and subsequently officially notify the PRC authorities of its refusal to further participate in the project.
After Israel left the program, the PRC leadership decided to continue work on the program independently, equipping the converted aircraft, which it received from Russia, with a radio-technical complex with AFAR, communication and data transmission facilities of national development. Since the PRC did not have any other suitable for the role of the carrier of the AWACS radio complex, it was decided to build subsequent serial radar patrol aircraft on the basis of a part of the Il-76MD transport aircraft delivered to China in the 90s.
Chinese AWACS aircraft KJ-2000
At the end of 2007, four serial AWACS KJ-2000 aircraft were officially put into service. There are no reliable data on the characteristics of the radio engineering complex in open sources. It is known that the flight crew of the KJ-2000 consists of five people and 10-15 operators. The aircraft can carry out patrolling at altitudes of 5-10 km. The maximum flight range is 5000 km, the flight duration is 7 hours 40 minutes.
The adoption of the KJ-2000 aircraft undoubtedly made it possible to significantly increase the PLA Air Force's ability to detect air targets, including low-flying and stealthy ones.
But one detachment of AWACS aircraft, consisting of five (including the prototype) KJ-2000, is clearly not enough for China. Therefore, development began on another "flying radar" based on the military transport aircraft Y-8 F-200. The aircraft is equipped with a radar similar to the Swedish Ericsson Erieye AESA, with a target detection range of 300 to 450 km.
Chinese AWACS aircraft KJ-200
The first production KJ-200 took off on January 14, 2005. According to foreign experts, at least six aircraft are currently in service.
In the PRC, the creation of new modifications of AWACS aircraft with higher airborne radar characteristics continues. The Chinese aircraft radar industry has made a breakthrough from mechanical scanning radar to active phased array systems. CETC Corporation specialists have created a three-coordinate early warning radar with AFAR, i.e. a radar that provides electronic scanning in altitude and azimuth.
Chinese AWACS aircraft KJ-500
In mid-2014, there were reports of the adoption of a new version of the "medium aircraft" AWACS with the KJ-500 index based on the Y-8F-400 transporter. Unlike the KJ-200 version with a "log" radar, the new aircraft has a circular radar antenna on the mast.
Currently, the PRC has about a dozen AWACS aircraft, and 2-3 new aircraft of this purpose are built annually.
China pays great attention to the creation and improvement of modern fighters, ground air defense systems, detection stations and automated control systems. According to materials published by the US Department of Defense, the PRC is currently working on a universal integrated national air defense system, the creation of which is planned to be fully completed by 2020.
A great achievement of the Chinese radio-electronic industry is the ability to develop and produce almost all types of radars, control and guidance devices independently. The onboard data processing systems of air defense systems and fighters of national production use computers and software developed and produced in China, which increases information security and guarantees the operability of the equipment "in a special period."
