• Home
  • About RSIS
    • Introduction
    • Building the Foundations
    • Welcome Message
    • Board of Governors
    • Staff Profiles
      • Executive Deputy Chairman’s Office
      • Dean’s Office
      • Management
      • Distinguished Fellows
      • Faculty and Research
      • Associate Research Fellows, Senior Analysts and Research Analysts
      • Visiting Fellows
      • Adjunct Fellows
      • Administrative Staff
    • Honours and Awards for RSIS Staff and Students
    • RSIS Endowment Fund
    • Endowed Professorships
    • Career Opportunities
    • Getting to RSIS
  • Research
    • Research Centres
      • Centre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS)
      • Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS Centre)
      • Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS)
      • Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS)
      • International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR)
    • Research Programmes
      • National Security Studies Programme (NSSP)
      • Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) Programme
    • Future Issues and Technology Cluster
    • [email protected] Newsletter
    • Other Research
      • Science and Technology Studies Programme (STSP) (2017-2020)
  • Graduate Education
    • Graduate Programmes Office
    • Overview
    • MSc (Asian Studies)
    • MSc (International Political Economy)
    • MSc (International Relations)
    • MSc (Strategic Studies)
    • NTU-Warwick Double Masters Programme
    • PhD Programme
    • Exchange Partners and Programmes
    • How to Apply
    • Financial Assistance
    • Meet the Admissions Team: Information Sessions and other events
    • RSIS Alumni
  • Alumni & Networks
    • Alumni
    • Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO)
    • Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers (APPSNO)
    • International Strategy Forum-Asia (ISF-Asia)
    • SRP Executive Programme
    • Terrorism Analyst Training Course (TATC)
  • Publications
    • RSIS Publications
      • Annual Reviews
      • Books
      • Bulletins and Newsletters
      • Commentaries
      • Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses
      • Commemorative / Event Reports
      • IDSS Paper
      • Interreligious Relations
      • Monographs
      • NTS Insight
      • Policy Reports
      • Working Papers
      • RSIS Publications for the Year
    • Glossary of Abbreviations
    • External Publications
      • Authored Books
      • Journal Articles
      • Edited Books
      • Chapters in Edited Books
      • Policy Reports
      • Working Papers
      • Op-Eds
      • External Publications for the Year
    • Policy-relevant Articles Given RSIS Award
  • Media
    • Great Powers
    • Sustainable Security
    • Other Resource Pages
    • Media Highlights
    • News Releases
    • Speeches
    • Vidcast Channel
    • Audio/Video Forums
  • Events
  • Giving
  • Contact Us
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
RSISVideoCast RSISVideoCast rsis.sg
Linkedin
instagram instagram rsis.sg
RSS
  • Home
  • About RSIS
      • Introduction
      • Building the Foundations
      • Welcome Message
      • Board of Governors
      • Staff Profiles
        • Executive Deputy Chairman’s Office
        • Dean’s Office
        • Management
        • Distinguished Fellows
        • Faculty and Research
        • Associate Research Fellows, Senior Analysts and Research Analysts
        • Visiting Fellows
        • Adjunct Fellows
        • Administrative Staff
      • Honours and Awards for RSIS Staff and Students
      • RSIS Endowment Fund
      • Endowed Professorships
      • Career Opportunities
      • Getting to RSIS
  • Research
      • Research Centres
        • Centre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS)
        • Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS Centre)
        • Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS)
        • Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS)
        • International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR)
      • Research Programmes
        • National Security Studies Programme (NSSP)
        • Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) Programme
      • Future Issues and Technology Cluster
      • [email protected] Newsletter
      • Other Research
        • Science and Technology Studies Programme (STSP) (2017-2020)
  • Graduate Education
      • Graduate Programmes Office
      • Overview
      • MSc (Asian Studies)
      • MSc (International Political Economy)
      • MSc (International Relations)
      • MSc (Strategic Studies)
      • NTU-Warwick Double Masters Programme
      • PhD Programme
      • Exchange Partners and Programmes
      • How to Apply
      • Financial Assistance
      • Meet the Admissions Team: Information Sessions and other events
      • RSIS Alumni
  • Alumni & Networks
      • Alumni
      • Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO)
      • Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers (APPSNO)
      • International Strategy Forum-Asia (ISF-Asia)
      • SRP Executive Programme
      • Terrorism Analyst Training Course (TATC)
  • Publications
      • RSIS Publications
        • Annual Reviews
        • Books
        • Bulletins and Newsletters
        • Commentaries
        • Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses
        • Commemorative / Event Reports
        • IDSS Paper
        • Interreligious Relations
        • Monographs
        • NTS Insight
        • Policy Reports
        • Working Papers
        • RSIS Publications for the Year
      • Glossary of Abbreviations
      • External Publications
        • Authored Books
        • Journal Articles
        • Edited Books
        • Chapters in Edited Books
        • Policy Reports
        • Working Papers
        • Op-Eds
        • External Publications for the Year
      • Policy-relevant Articles Given RSIS Award
  • Media
      • Great Powers
      • Sustainable Security
      • Other Resource Pages
      • Media Highlights
      • News Releases
      • Speeches
      • Vidcast Channel
      • Audio/Video Forums
  • Events
  • Giving
  • Contact Us
  • instagram instagram rsis.sg
Connect

Getting to RSIS

Map

Address

Nanyang Technological University
Block S4, Level B3,
50 Nanyang Avenue,
Singapore 639798

View location on Google maps Click here for directions to RSIS

Get in Touch

    Connect with Us

      rsis.ntu
      rsis_ntu
      rsisntu
    RSISVideoCast RSISVideoCast rsisvideocast
      school/rsis-ntu
    instagram instagram rsis.sg
      RSS
    Subscribe to RSIS Publications
    Subscribe to RSIS Events

    RSIS Intranet

    S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Think Tank and Graduate School Ponder The Improbable Since 1966
    Nanyang Technological University Nanyang Technological University

    Skip to content

     
    • RSIS
    • Publication
    • RSIS Publications
    • CO12194 | China’s Defence Aviation Industry: Searching for Innovation
    • Annual Reviews
    • Books
    • Bulletins and Newsletters
    • Commentaries
    • Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses
    • Commemorative / Event Reports
    • IDSS Paper
    • Interreligious Relations
    • Monographs
    • NTS Insight
    • Policy Reports
    • Working Papers
    • RSIS Publications for the Year

    CO12194 | China’s Defence Aviation Industry: Searching for Innovation
    Michael Raska

    17 October 2012

    download pdf
    RSIS Commentary is a platform to provide timely and, where appropriate, policy-relevant commentary and analysis of topical and contemporary issues. The authors’ views are their own and do not represent the official position of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), NTU. These commentaries may be reproduced with prior permission from RSIS and due credit to the author(s) and RSIS. Please email to Editor RSIS Commentary at [email protected].

    Synopsis

    Prolonged systemic challenges continue to strain and divide China’s military-aviation industry. Nonetheless the sector’s overall modernisation drive is probably the most prominent among China’s defence industries.

    Commentary

    OVER THE past decade, China’s military-aviation industry has been gradually transforming its defence, science, technology, and innovation capabilities, and narrowing the once-wide technological gaps with advanced aviation powers. In the fighter aircraft arena alone, it has been developing, testing, and producing a diverse portfolio of new designs – updating and modernising its ‘legacy fighters, developing indigenous modern ‘fourth-generation’ fighters, and preparing to break into the ‘fifth-generation’ aircraft market.

    The recent unveiling of China’s next generation fighter aircraft prototypes – the J-20 and J-21 – along with accelerated modernisation of the Chengdu J-10 and Shenyang J-11 fleets, shows not only the increased sophistication of Chinese combat aircraft, but more importantly, the ongoing transformation of China’s military- aviation sector.

    Rise of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)

    China’s largest aviation industrial group, AVIC, has been on a new path of reforms since November 2008 when the Chinese government remerged twin aircraft manufacturers AVIC I and AVIC II after a decade of separate operations. The principal aim of the re-merger was to move from traditional geographical divisions and consolidate overlapping areas of responsibility that limited the industry’s capacity for innovation and technological development. The transformation of AVIC created a new corporate structure and strategy aimed to enhance China’s aerospace competitiveness and improve systemic efficiency. Particularly targeted is the delivery of equipment for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) by integrating product lines, instituting best business practices, resource allocation, and accelerating industrial R&D innovation and production capabilities – in both civil and military aviation sectors.

    AVIC’s Defence structure now includes five core defence-aerospace prime contractors: Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (J-10; J-20; FC-1 fighters), Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (J-8; J-11; J-15 fighters), Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (K-8; L-15 trainers), Xi’an Aircraft Company (H-6; JH-7 bombers), and Changhe/Hafei Aviation (Z-8; Z-9; Z-11 helicopters). These are supported by Tier 1 suppliers and system-integrators such as Shenyang Liming Aero-Engine (fighter engine WS-10), Xian Aero Engine (fighter engine WS-9 and supplier of WS-10), AVIC Avionics (flight control, power systems). The defence supply-chain is further supported by Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers of systems and components such as Chengfa Science and Technology (aero engine components and control systems), AVIC Aero-Engine Controls (aero engine control systems), Hubei Aviation Precision Machinery (electro-mechanical parts and systems), and Jonhon Optronics (connectors).

    According to Lin Zuoming, the group’s President, during 2008 – 2011, AVIC Group recorded a 20% compound annual growth rate in revenues. In 2011, AVIC’s revenue increased 20% to CNY250 billion (USD39.6 billion) and net earnings increased more than 15% to CNY12 billion (USD1.89 billion). AVIC’s figures compare favourably with major Western primes, such as BAE Systems, which in 2010 posted annual sales of GBP22.39 billion (USD34.7billion).

    PLAAF’s operational requirements

    AVIC’s financial performance reflects China’s continued robust defence spending growth, with more resources allocated for procurement of new equipment. With the People’s Liberation Army’s Air Force (PLAAF) widening operational requirements, there is a growing need to replace China’s aging third-generation fighter jets (J-7 and J-8) and modernise supporting logistical infrastructure and equipment. This is projected to drive defence spending higher, leading to the expansion of China’s military-aviation sector – from helicopter, trainer and transporter fleets to fourth and fifth-generation fighter jets.

    Notwithstanding China’s ongoing reliance on Russian assistance in the development of core systems such as engines and avionics, China’s indigenous aerospace manufacturing base and its capabilities are now increasingly able to supply the PLAAF with a portfolio of aircraft platforms, technologies, and systems required for its modernisation. This is evident from the proportion of fourth-generation aircraft in service with the PLAAF, which has risen from 23% in 2005 to 33% in 2010, and is expected to reach about 50% by 2015.

    Toward further innovation

    Indeed, as early as the late 1990s, the bulk of the PLAAF was based almost exclusively on the obsolete 1950’s- era Soviet design combat aircraft based on MiG-19 and MiG-21s. In 1999, China’s fourth-generation fighters included fewer than 100 operational Su-27 armed with beyond-visual range air-to-air missiles. The PLAAF had no inventory of precision-guided munitions (PGMs) and its pilots received only limited training, constrained by time and weather conditions. By 2010, however, the PLAAF retired most of its obsolete aircraft, acquired over 300 fourth-generation fighters (J-10, J-11, Su-30 variants), armed with advanced air-to-air missiles and PGMs (i.e. Kh-31/AS-17 Krypton), and capable of flying in all-weather conditions. PLAAF pilots are now supported by China’s first domestically-produced airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft and new generation of air defence systems (HQ-9).

    Depending on the ability of China’s aerospace primes to develop and integrate innovative systems and technologies, China’s fifth-generation combat aircraft J-20 may become operational by 2020. In the process, the pace, qualitative orientation, and continuous resource allocation toward innovation in China’s defence aviation industry may in the long run elevate its position closer toward global defence aviation primes.

    About the Author

    Michael Raska is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, a constituent unit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University.

    Categories: Commentaries / International Politics and Security / East Asia and Asia Pacific

    Last updated on 26/09/2014

    RSIS Commentary is a platform to provide timely and, where appropriate, policy-relevant commentary and analysis of topical and contemporary issues. The authors’ views are their own and do not represent the official position of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), NTU. These commentaries may be reproduced with prior permission from RSIS and due credit to the author(s) and RSIS. Please email to Editor RSIS Commentary at [email protected].

    Synopsis

    Prolonged systemic challenges continue to strain and divide China’s military-aviation industry. Nonetheless the sector’s overall modernisation drive is probably the most prominent among China’s defence industries.

    Commentary

    OVER THE past decade, China’s military-aviation industry has been gradually transforming its defence, science, technology, and innovation capabilities, and narrowing the once-wide technological gaps with advanced aviation powers. In the fighter aircraft arena alone, it has been developing, testing, and producing a diverse portfolio of new designs – updating and modernising its ‘legacy fighters, developing indigenous modern ‘fourth-generation’ fighters, and preparing to break into the ‘fifth-generation’ aircraft market.

    The recent unveiling of China’s next generation fighter aircraft prototypes – the J-20 and J-21 – along with accelerated modernisation of the Chengdu J-10 and Shenyang J-11 fleets, shows not only the increased sophistication of Chinese combat aircraft, but more importantly, the ongoing transformation of China’s military- aviation sector.

    Rise of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)

    China’s largest aviation industrial group, AVIC, has been on a new path of reforms since November 2008 when the Chinese government remerged twin aircraft manufacturers AVIC I and AVIC II after a decade of separate operations. The principal aim of the re-merger was to move from traditional geographical divisions and consolidate overlapping areas of responsibility that limited the industry’s capacity for innovation and technological development. The transformation of AVIC created a new corporate structure and strategy aimed to enhance China’s aerospace competitiveness and improve systemic efficiency. Particularly targeted is the delivery of equipment for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) by integrating product lines, instituting best business practices, resource allocation, and accelerating industrial R&D innovation and production capabilities – in both civil and military aviation sectors.

    AVIC’s Defence structure now includes five core defence-aerospace prime contractors: Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (J-10; J-20; FC-1 fighters), Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (J-8; J-11; J-15 fighters), Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (K-8; L-15 trainers), Xi’an Aircraft Company (H-6; JH-7 bombers), and Changhe/Hafei Aviation (Z-8; Z-9; Z-11 helicopters). These are supported by Tier 1 suppliers and system-integrators such as Shenyang Liming Aero-Engine (fighter engine WS-10), Xian Aero Engine (fighter engine WS-9 and supplier of WS-10), AVIC Avionics (flight control, power systems). The defence supply-chain is further supported by Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers of systems and components such as Chengfa Science and Technology (aero engine components and control systems), AVIC Aero-Engine Controls (aero engine control systems), Hubei Aviation Precision Machinery (electro-mechanical parts and systems), and Jonhon Optronics (connectors).

    According to Lin Zuoming, the group’s President, during 2008 – 2011, AVIC Group recorded a 20% compound annual growth rate in revenues. In 2011, AVIC’s revenue increased 20% to CNY250 billion (USD39.6 billion) and net earnings increased more than 15% to CNY12 billion (USD1.89 billion). AVIC’s figures compare favourably with major Western primes, such as BAE Systems, which in 2010 posted annual sales of GBP22.39 billion (USD34.7billion).

    PLAAF’s operational requirements

    AVIC’s financial performance reflects China’s continued robust defence spending growth, with more resources allocated for procurement of new equipment. With the People’s Liberation Army’s Air Force (PLAAF) widening operational requirements, there is a growing need to replace China’s aging third-generation fighter jets (J-7 and J-8) and modernise supporting logistical infrastructure and equipment. This is projected to drive defence spending higher, leading to the expansion of China’s military-aviation sector – from helicopter, trainer and transporter fleets to fourth and fifth-generation fighter jets.

    Notwithstanding China’s ongoing reliance on Russian assistance in the development of core systems such as engines and avionics, China’s indigenous aerospace manufacturing base and its capabilities are now increasingly able to supply the PLAAF with a portfolio of aircraft platforms, technologies, and systems required for its modernisation. This is evident from the proportion of fourth-generation aircraft in service with the PLAAF, which has risen from 23% in 2005 to 33% in 2010, and is expected to reach about 50% by 2015.

    Toward further innovation

    Indeed, as early as the late 1990s, the bulk of the PLAAF was based almost exclusively on the obsolete 1950’s- era Soviet design combat aircraft based on MiG-19 and MiG-21s. In 1999, China’s fourth-generation fighters included fewer than 100 operational Su-27 armed with beyond-visual range air-to-air missiles. The PLAAF had no inventory of precision-guided munitions (PGMs) and its pilots received only limited training, constrained by time and weather conditions. By 2010, however, the PLAAF retired most of its obsolete aircraft, acquired over 300 fourth-generation fighters (J-10, J-11, Su-30 variants), armed with advanced air-to-air missiles and PGMs (i.e. Kh-31/AS-17 Krypton), and capable of flying in all-weather conditions. PLAAF pilots are now supported by China’s first domestically-produced airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft and new generation of air defence systems (HQ-9).

    Depending on the ability of China’s aerospace primes to develop and integrate innovative systems and technologies, China’s fifth-generation combat aircraft J-20 may become operational by 2020. In the process, the pace, qualitative orientation, and continuous resource allocation toward innovation in China’s defence aviation industry may in the long run elevate its position closer toward global defence aviation primes.

    About the Author

    Michael Raska is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, a constituent unit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University.

    Categories: Commentaries / International Politics and Security

    Last updated on 26/09/2014

    Back to top

    Terms of Use | Privacy Statement
    Copyright © S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. All rights reserved.
    This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. By continuing, you are agreeing to the use of cookies on your device as described in our privacy policy. Learn more
    OK
    Latest Book
    CO12194 | China’s Defence Aviation Industry: Searching for Innovation

    Synopsis

    Prolonged systemic challenges continue to strain and divide China’s military-avi ...
    more info