KJ-500

China's KJ-500 AEW&C aircraft carries three AESA arrays providing 360° coverage, according to the China Aerospace Studies Institute; Janes documented a Chinese offer to Pakistan in June 2025.

Overview

The KJ-500 serves both Chinese air force and naval aviation units: Asian Military Review, citing The Military Balance, reported 40 PLAAF aircraft and more than 20 PLAN aircraft in December 2025, while RUSI estimated roughly 50 KJ-500s in service in late 2025. Those published estimates conflict and provide no separate baseline KJ-500 count, according to the figures presented by Asian Military Review and RUSI. Pakistan is a prospective customer following the Chinese offer announced by its government on 6 June 2025, as Janes reported; The News International still described acquisition as prospective in April 2026.

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