Q-5 Fantan thread

[franco-russe]

The Q-5 order of battle currently looks like this:

Dalian Base (Unit 93176)
- 90 Avn Bde Wafangdian 21x2x (01-49) Q-5D

11 Air Div (Unit 93052) Siping
- 32 Avn Regt Sanshilipu 20x2x (51-99) Q-5D
- 33 Avn Regt Gongzhuling 61x1x (01-49) Q-5/Q-5J

15 Avn Div (Unit 93582) Huairen
- 45 Avn Regt Dingxian 21x6x (51-99) Q-5C/D

5 Avn Div (Unit 94590) Weifang
- 13 Avn Regt Weifang 10x6x (01-49) Q-5D/L
- 14 Avn Regt Zhucheng 10x6x (51-99) Q-5C/L

28 Avn Div (Unit 94936) Hangzhou
- 82 Avn Regt Hangzhou 30x9x (01-49) Q-5D

Seven regiments are nothing like 600 aircraft, even though Q-5 regiments are big. Exactly how big I do not know, but about 40 planes apiece. So the total would be about 300 Q-5.

The regiment at Suizhong was wrong: it was a regiment of the Naval Aviation Training Base (7 Nav Avn Div) that later converted to JH-7A.

The fact that Suizhong is in Shenyang MR would not per se mean that it could not belong to a Beijing MRAF division. 1 Avn Div Anshan has 2 Regt (J-10A) at Chifeng, which is in Beijing MR.
And Jinan MRAF’s new 32 Avn Div Xuzhou is both headquartered in Nanjing MR and has 94 Avn Regt (J-7B) at Xuzhou and 95 Avn Regt (J-11B) at Lianyungang.

 

[kwaigonegin]

A lot of ppl underestimating Q-5, they are good plane, do their job properly. Cost effective and fully functional.

Apart from SK, Japan, Russia and of course USNavy Q-5 still more than enough to deal with

isn't that kind of meaningless statement? I mean being that the potential opponents of China are those countries you mentioned. I mean it's not like Zimbabwe, Burma or Bhutan is planning on fighting a war with China where admittedly the Q5 can be very effective in those wars.

 

[joshuatree]

Aren't the remaining Q-5s ground attack planes? So how does it apply in comparisons to neighboring rivals? Are we talking about China invading rivals? Or being invaded by rivals? Furthermore, what is the air support situation? Being covered by newer planes like the J10, J11, etc? Or none at all?

 

[nicky]

2 franco-russe: google shows q-5 steady phase-out: 28 ad is no more as well as 32ar. can't locate 45 ar: could you possibly provide coords or alternative name of the airfield? thanks.
btw., naval (air) units belong to fleets, not mrs.

 

[franco-russe]

28 Avn Div certainly still exists, now with two JH-7A regiments.

I have become reconciled to regiments not being seen where they are expected, e.g. Q-5 regiment at Hangzhou. They might be relocated to a new airfield, or converting to a new type, or just gone on deployment.

Since PLAAF has made great efforts to bring all divisions up to three-regiment strength, I do not really expect regiments to be disbanded.

Qizhou-Dingxian is at 38 35 53 N 112 58 07 E.

btw., naval (air) units belong to fleets, not mrs.

Why do you write that? Do you think I do not know?

 

[nicky]

Oh, never mind I'm just getting started on PLA AF as you see, and really appreciate your expert opinion. Both 28th AD airfields are empty of Q-5 since 2011 on Google. Jiaxing Rgt. shows only one J-7 even after runaway extension works complete. Slow introduction of the new machines? If at all? Or what?

On another matter, if you don't mind I noticed on scramblemagazine numerous unmanned drone brigades based on retired J-6. Again, did not notice presence of those drones on the assigned airfields. How credible is the source, what do you think? What do you think about this whole conception? I have some doubts: too expensive I think.

 

[franco-russe]

Scramble Magazine has a very high credibility!

You can safely trust the information about the five J-6 units of the UAV Brigade. You should be able to see most of them in GE.

 

[chuck731]

Seems like an economic way to dispose of otherwise surplus Q-5's

The question is what capability do these drones have. Are they basically target drones or do they have some offensive role?

 

[thunderchief]

I am not too optimistic about it... Taiwan, India and perhaps Vietnam can also handle Q-5. Only real third world military like the Philippines might have problem handling this aircraft, other than that most neighbours that might cause the most problem could handle this aircraft easily.

Depends . If China achieves air superiority even older planes could be effective . Simple example : A-10 is successful because USAF always suppress enemy fighters and AD . But , if in some hypothetical conflict enemy manages to contest air space , A-10s would be relatively easy target . Same thing could apply to Q-5 .

 

[franco-russe]

Seems like an economic way to dispose of otherwise surplus Q-5's

The question is what capability do these drones have. Are they basically target drones or do they have some offensive role?

They are exclusively offensive. They are all stationed at PLAAF deployment bases facing Taiwan, in Fujian and eastern Guangdong.

But in addition, a sizable number of other J-6' are found at Dingxin (I think I counted some 40-50) and they are undoubtedly used as targets.