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<p class="text-body text-muted small">China is continuing to induct SAC J-16 multirole fighters into the service as part of its modernisation of the air force. (VCG via Getty Images/Qian Baihua)</p>
<p>China has augmented its operational units with additional numbers of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-16 multirole and Chengdu Aircraft Industries (Group) Company (CAC) J-20 stealth fighter aircraft.</p>
<p><em>Janes </em>assesses that China may have inducted 15 new SAC J-16s and 11 CAC J-20 fifth-generation stealth fighters into service since January 2023. These inductions support ongoing efforts by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to replace its older aircraft.</p>
<p>With these additions, the PLAAF potentially has 233 J-16s in service (not counting seven specialist J-16D electronic warfare (EW) aircraft) and as many as 127 J-20As, according to Janes Satellite Imagery and Analysis (JSIA)<em>.</em></p>
<p>The data suggest that J-20As are augmenting PLAAF air brigades equipped with CAC J-10 Meng Long single-engine fighters and J-16s. In some cases, such as with the 56th Air Brigade, J-20As could be replacing J-10B and J-10AS aircraft operational within that unit.</p>
<p>Inductions of J-16s have been ongoing. At least three PLAAF air brigades are trading their ‘legacy’ aircraft for J-16s from 2022. From May 2023 a fourth air brigade also started to receive J-16s.</p>
<p>According to Chinese state-owned media, this unit is within the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command (ETC). Assessments by JSIA indicate that this is likely the 95th Air Brigade.</p>
<p>The unit is based at Lianyungang-Baitabu in the northeastern part of China’s Jiangsu province. China Central Television (CCTV) also reported that the new unit conducted familiarisation and training sorties from northeastern Jiangsu.</p>
<p>The unit was equipped with 28 fourth-generation SAC J-11B combat aircraft and eight of it is dual-cockpit variant, the SAC J-11BS, according to <em>Janes </em></p>
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