The People's Liberation Army Air Force of China (PLAAF) has unveiled and introduced its newest tanker, the Y-20U, into service. The aircraft had already been spotted in tests since 2021 and will replace planes of Russian origin.
According to the state China Daily, the aircraft is now officially designated the YY-20, as disclosed at a PLAAF briefing this weekend, but is more commonly referred to as the Y-20U or even the YU-20.
First detailed shots of the 🇨🇳PLAAF Y-20U (refueling Y-20 ID#787) at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
(via wb/Quardo30Mbps) pic.twitter.com/a9T3R88a1X- Jesus Roman (@jesusfroman) July 31, 2022
Regardless of the designation, the aircraft reinforces Beijing's ambitions to expand the range of its fighters and bombers by modernizing its fleet of in-flight refueling (REVO) aircraft.
China is believed to already have three Y-20U/YY-20s in service and the PLAAF says the model has already been tested in exercises. In fact, in November 2021, the plane was spotted during a Chinese maneuver in the Air Defense Identification Zone (ZIDA / ADIZ) from Taiwan, marking their first participation in these daily incursions.
China has also released videos of Shenyang J-16 fighter jets – based on the Sukhoi Su-30 – in REVO with the new tanker.
PLAAF officially announces the induction of Y-20U tanker and releases the footage of Y-20U refueling J-16. pic.twitter.com/AKMJFoshpp
— dafeng cao (@dafengcao) July 31, 2022
The YY-20 is based on the Xian Y-20 strategic freighter, developed on the basis of the Ilyushin Il-76 (using the same engines as this model). The REVO plane was modified with the installation of fuel transfer hoses, two on each wing and one on the fuselage.
It is a configuration similar to that found in the Il-78 Midas, REVO version of the Il-76 and also used by China. The YY-20 came to replace the Il-78 and HY-6 jets, REVO versions of the H-6 bomber.
China has three Il-78s and about 24 HY-6Us. However, the Il-78 would have low availability, while the HY-6 is based on the Tu-16 of Soviet origin and does not have a large fuel capacity. The lack of a fleet of modern REVO aircraft limits the range of PLAAF aircraft.
The arrival of the YY-20, even if in small numbers, represents the beginning of a change in this scenario, as well as a new concern for the US and its allies in the region.
