CHINESE NATIONALIST AIR CAPABILITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79S01011A000600010002-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 24, 2000
• Sequence Number: 2
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For;Release 2001/08/3tjjA D
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CHI.IESE NATIONALIST Alit CA:"AI3ILITIES
AIRCRAFT
The Chinese i+ationalist Air Force (C:+AF) consists of 8 1/3 combat groups
possessing 384. tactical aircraft. At present only 264 are considered to
be combat serviceable, Of these 121 are combat types including 35'light
bombers and 86 piston fighters predominantly of U.S. :','orld "'ar II design.
The TNAF offensive capability is considered limited to the coastal
area of southeast China and is capable of being sustained at maximum
levels only for a period of short duration because of a lack of spare
parts and improper maintenance facilities. This period would be further
decreased by canbat lessees particularly if the CT'AF were opposed by jet
aircraft
Defensive capabilities are limited by use of obsolescent F-51 and F-47
aircraft as interceptors and the inadequate anti-aircraft equipment presently
available. Early warning radar, ground observers, and fighter ccntrol stations
form links of an air defense patterned after USAF .' .orld "jar II aircraft control
and warning nets,
AIRCRAFT C )NTAUL
At present no ground controlled interception (GCI) is practiced. All
Information furnished the intercepting aircraft is based upon information
received from monitoring radar station broadcasts and transmitted to the
intercept aircraft through a relay net. The individual pilot is'respineible
for navigation and search of his assigned area, Vectors are not utilized
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nor are there any provisions for maintaining fighter tracks in control
stations. It is felt that with the recent acquisition of more modern radar
equipment, GCI practices probably will be used in the near future,
rARLY AR:-;I:: = RADAR
The CAF early earning system is composed of a group of early warning
stations plus several ground observation stations. The system is relatively
comprehensive since the locations of the radar and ground observers make
it almost impossible for any aircraft to approach Formosa undetected, The
s,. stem, however, suffors a serious disadvantage because of the time lag
required from the moment of observation to?',the time this information is
relayed to fighter ccntrol stations and thence to the pilot. The Air
Defense Control Center is loc:te$ at Taipeh with 5 control stations looted
at Taipeh, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi and Pingtung.
ANTIAIRCRAFT
In general, antiaircraft defense has been neglected by the Chinese
Nationalist Armed Forces. The guns presently available are of 're-;orld
War If t?,*pee of various countries and are not believed to be radar con-
trolled. It is generally considered that the antiaircraft defense system
is the weakest link in the Chinese Nationalist Air Defense Establishment.
AIR F. CTLITIES
There are a total of 19 air facilities (including 2 seaplane stations) in
various stages of use on Formosa at this time.
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HII ESE COI^I UNIST AIR ORDER OF BATTLE. 26 NOVEUBER 19 U
The Chinese Communist Air Force (CCAF) is estimated to have available
a total of a. proximately 1450 aircraft, including about 110 aircraft of the
North Korean Air Force (NKAF) and approximately 800 Jet fighters of undetermined
subordination, operating in coordination with the CCAF. It is setimated that
this aggregate air strength, in addition to the 800 jet fighters, consists
of approximately 250 conventional fighters, 150 ground attack, 150 light
bombers, and 100 2-engine transports. The bulk of this air strength
currently is estimated to be deployed in Northeast China and Manchuria,
llojrer, in. the face. of isms Went air attack, the CCAF could be deployed with
Little delay for the defense -9f threats }ed areas.
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