Tanker, transporter, controller: China’s Y-20 family expands its Pacific reach
When six Chinese heavy transport planes entered European airspace in April 2022, it was not just their cargo that drew international attention. Bound for Serbia, the Y-20 aircraft had flown thousands of kilometres from China carrying components of the Chinese-made FK-3 surface-to-air missile system. A second wave of six aircraft followed, bringing the operation to 12 sorties in what was then…
In April 2022, six Chinese heavy transport planes, known as the Y-20, entered European airspace carrying components of a Chinese-made surface-to-air missile system. This operation, which resulted in 12 sorties, marked China's largest overseas airlift involving the strategic cargo plane. The delivery of these aircraft raised concerns among European capitals due to growing military ties between Serbia and Beijing following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The centerpiece of this capability is the Y-20 Kunpeng, China's first domestically developed heavy military transport plane. Four years on, the Y-20 is evolving into a more versatile family of support aircraft that can help the People's Liberation Army (PLA) move forces further from home and sustain combat aircraft deeper into the western Pacific.
The Y-20 was designed to address China's dependence on imported Russian Il-76 aircraft and Il-78 tankers, as the country found it difficult to acquire additional units. Powered by Russian D-30KP-II turbofan engines, the original Y-20A has been replaced by the Y-20B, which uses domestically produced WS-20 high-bypass turbofans. This change provides China with greater control over the production and future development of this aircraft.
Additionally, the Y-20B can switch between transport and aerial-refuelling roles, becoming a multi-role tanker-transport platform. The Y-20 also serves as the basis for the KJ-3000 airborne early-warning and control aircraft, which is designed to provide airborne surveillance and command-and-control capabilities.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
