U.S. Plane Now Part of Chinese Air Force
PLA Generals Convert Boeing Jet Into Flying HQ

The Chinese army has converted a U.S.-made airliner into an advanced military command aircraft. The conversion is a direct violation of U.S.-Sino trade agreements and U.S. export laws. Officials at the U.S. State and Commerce departments refused to comment on the illegal Chinese modification.

Photographs of the converted jet surfaced earlier this year and were the subject of an article by investigative reporter Bill Gertz. Now new, close-up photos of the converted jetliner have appeared. The aircraft, identified as a Boeing 737, tail number B-4052, was sold to China United Airlines (CUA) in 1990 by Indonesia. Xian Aircraft Corporation modified the jet airliner into a flying command post for the Chinese army.

One prominent feature of the new airborne command post is a satellite antenna fairing on top of the forward fuselage. Two more data link and communication fairings are located underneath the mid-section of the fuselage.

The aircraft now serves the Chinese army and is intended to fly PLA commanders during war. The 737 is intended to allow a PLA crew of generals and staff to fly close to a battlefield, issuing commands to their army, navy and air force from the airborne headquarters.

Boeing for Beijing

China United Airlines currently operates a fleet of ten Boeing 737-300 airliners as troop and VIP transports. According to Aviation Week and Space Technology, the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) obtained the U.S. jet transports in 2000 through a purchase approved by the Clinton administration.

Images obtained from official Chinese TV outlets show the civilian airliners being manned and operated by military crews. U.S. defense intelligence officials confirmed that the Chinese air force is currently operating the ten Boeing China United airliners as military troop transports.

According to a 1994 U.S. military report, the Clinton administration was aware that China United Airlines was owned by the PLAAF. Documentation obtained using the Freedom of Information Act shows that China United Airlines is actually one of several businesses wholly owned and operated by the PLAAF.

"China United Airlines (CUA) is a commercial entity of the PLA Air Force," states a 1994 report on the Chinese military issued by Lt. Col. Dennis Blasko, former U.S. defense attaché to Beijing.