Aviation

Chinese Military Aircraft Numbering System

• PLAAF
• PLAN
• PLA
• PLAAF Special Air Units

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Chinese Military Aircraft Numbering System

by Rick Kamer

People's Liberation Army Air Force:

The Chinese use a rather simple number scheme on their aircraft that makes determining the unit very simple. The majority of regular PLA Air Force and Naval Air Force units use a five digit registration number that follows the pattern #&x#x. The division number is represented by the first and fourth digits (##) and the regiment is represented by the second digit (&). The actual division number can be extracted from the chart below. Example: An aircraft with the registration number of 11220 would belong to the 1st Division (1xx2x), 1st Regiment (x1xxx).

Each division typically has three regiments and would be represented by the number in the second position of the registration number. These numbers do not indicate the actual regimental unit, only the position within the division. Regiment numbers are numbered consecutively beginning with the 1st Regiment in the 1st Division and continue through the 150th Regiment of the 50th Division (number of divisions when the system was implemented). It is currently believed there are 33 active Air Division in the PLAAF but some registration numbers still being used indicates there may be lower numbered divisions that have been deactivated.. The SU-27s stationed at Wuhu belong the 3rd Division, 9th Regiment and use registration numbers in the 13X4X series. From the matrix it can be determined the unit is the 3rd Division (1xx4x) and the regiment is the 3rd in the division or the 9th Regiment. However, the digit zero has been seen on numerous occasions in fighter units and may represent a special or independent regiment. One notable exception to the regimental numbering scheme is used on the SU-27s at Suixi. The aircraft are numbered in the 16x3x range but belong to the 3rd regiment of the division (13x3x), which, interestingly, is actually the 6th Regiment. One explanation could be the regimental indicator is being used in multiples; 1,4,7 used for the first regiment, 2,5,8 for the second, and 3,6,9 for the third. If this method is used in this manner a possible reason may be to separate different kinds of aircraft. More imagery would be needed to confirm either of these theories.

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