Aviation Industries Corporation of China is an expanded state owned enterprise; it was created when the firms AVIC I & AVIC II merged in October 2008 to strengthen manufacturing capabilities to develop a large commercial aircraft.

There are 10 business units within the corporation:

• Defense
• Transport aircraft
• Aviation engine
• Helicopters
• Avionics
• General aviation aircraft
• Aviation research and development
• Flight testing
• Trade and logistics
• Asset management

AVIC has nearly 200 subsidiaries and over 20 listed companies employing 40 million people. AVIC also has 33 research institutes that are among the leading science and technological research centers in China. AVIC's operations and research span 19 provinces.

Products

AVIC develops a wide range of aircraft: fighter, fighter bomber, bomber, transport, trainer, reconnaissance aircraft, helicopter, attack aircraft, general aviation aircraft, and UAV. AVIC also develops engines and missiles, such as turboprop engines, turbo-shaft engines, turbojets, turbofans, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles and ground-to-air missiles. Some aircraft developed by AVIC include J-10, FBC-1, FC-1, L-15, and JL-9. AVIC also develops indigenous aircraft engine technology such as Taihang, Qinling, and Kunlun. Transport and manufacturing aircraft are also areas where AVIC is expanding research and development. They have developed turbo propeller regional aircraft of MA-60, MA-600 and MA-700, and transport aircraft Y-8 & Y-12, and Z-9 helicopter. AVIC is also the main developer and supplier of the ARJ21 regional aircraft. The corporation aims to promote its commercial development and integrate its civil and military businesses.

Recent Developments

AVIC subsidiary Xi'an Aviation Industry Corp reached an agreement to purchase 91.25% of components and composites from Austrian Fischer Advanced Composite Components (FACC). AVIC has said they would acquire an overseas manufacturer to improve development capabilities and explore export opportunities.

Sources:
[1] Xu Dashan and Lu Haoting, "AVIC I and AVIC II to be Restructured," China Daily, 3 January 2008, in China Daily, www.chinadaily.com.
[2] "Corporate Profile," Aviation Industry Corporation of China, 2008, www.avic.com.cn.
[3] Georg Mader, Guy Anderson, Jon Grevatt, "China's XAC agrees Purchase of Austrian Manufacturer FACC," Janes Defense Industry, 6 October 2009, www.janes.com.