China's Ascent in Global Aviation: From Dependency to Dominance in Civil and Military Aircraft Manufacturing
Abstract China’s aircraft manufacturing industry has evolved from a Soviet-dependent sector in the 1970s to a global contender by 2025, challenging Airbus, Boeing, and Western military powers. This essay traces the industry’s growth across civil and military aviation from 1970 to the present, focusing on airframes, engines, accessories, and materials. It examines China’s plans to replace its domestic fleet with indigenous aircraft like the COMAC C919 and ARJ21, analyzes market shares of Airbus (55%), Boeing (30–35%), and COMAC (<5%) in the domestic sector, and details export developments, with UAVs like the Wing Loong II sold to 20+ countries for $15 billion. Leading companies—COMAC, AVIC, AECC, and CETC—are profiled, highlighting their scale (e.g., AVIC’s $70 billion revenue). Government policies, pivotal turning points (e.g., COMAC’s 2008 founding), and lessons for nations like India are explored. By 2035, China is projected to rank second in civil aviation and potentially first ...