People's Liberation Army: Air Force 2010

This handbook is based on information compiled from open source Chinese publications, as well as discussions with Chinese military officials and US academicians. The intent of the study is to educate US Air Force members about China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force (PLAAF) beyond weapon systems, equipment, and order of battle information. The handbook focuses on the PLAAF’s history, leadership, organizational structure, political work system, personnel, education, training, logistics and maintenance, quality-of-life, and foreign relations. It also discusses each of the PLAAF’s four branches—aviation, surface-to-air missile, antiaircraft artillery, and airborne, but does not provide information on specific weapon systems and equipment. This handbook complements the Office of Naval Intelligence’s handbook on the PLA Navy China’s Navy 2007, and Dennis Blasko’s The Chinese Army Today, on the PLA’s ground forces.