The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force is strengthening the intensity and difficulty of its combat exercises to improve its capabilities. In those well-orchestrated exercises Chinese pilots will train not only air to air combat, but they will also practice air to ground attacks and other type of missions.
Chinese Air Force Headquarters organizes four large exercises each year for different units. They are: the Red Sword advanced aerial combat exercise, Blue Shield aircraft and missile defense exercise, Golden Helmet freestyle fighting exercise and Golden Dart land attack exercise.