During the Sino-Vietnamese War, the PLANAF carried out many successful bombing and airstrike missions against Vietnamese territories, such as in the Spratly Islands.

[1] According to the Department of the Air Force's China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) the PLANAF had around 2016 a major restructuring into a brigade structure.

[3] In July 2018, Lieutenant General Zhang Honghe of the PLAAF stated that China is developing a new carrier-based aircraft that will replace the J-15 due to four crashes and numerous technical problems.

Weight problems are compounded when operating off Liaoning, as its STOBAR launch and recovery method further limits payload capacity.

The J-35 is expected to complete carrier-based testing soon, while the Fujian is in the final stages of outfitting and is projected to undergo sea trials in 2023, to steady its progress in naval modernization.