By Levina

There was a lot of din as a new Yun-20U tanker aircraft with batch number 20647 of the 38th Regiment, 13th Division, PLA Central Command Air Force was spotted on weibo and other social media platforms

The Y-20U Chinese Aerial Refueling Tanker is a modified version of the Y-20 military transport aircraft, designed to enhance the aerial refueling capabilities of the PLAAF, China’s Airforce. It represents China’s first large-scale tanker aircraft. Officially designated as the Fuel Transport YY-20 (code Y-20U), it entered the research and development testing phase by 2021, with its maiden flight reportedly taking place in March 2019.

The above pics shows all the Y-20U tanker aircrafts spotted in 2024.

Nov: Y-20U (no. 20647)
Y-20U (no. 20849)
Oct: Y-20U (no. 20846)
Y-20U (no. 20547)

July: Y-20U (no. 20740)

feb: Y-20U (no. 20945)

Earlier on Nov 5th Y-20U (no. 20849) was seen landing at Jinwan airport for Zhuhai exhibition. So far this year 6 different Y-20U’s pictures have been floated on the internet. So no, it has not been ubiquitous.

Ostensibly, this tanker variant is being developed to carry approximately 90 tons of fuel, similar to the capacity of the Il-78. A short-term development plan involves equipping the Y-20 with refueling pods mounted under the wings and at the rear, a setup akin to that of the Russian Il-78 and European A400M tankers. This approach requires minimal structural modifications, reducing technical complexity and cost while preserving the aircraft’s full cargo transport capabilities. Without a doubt this Chinese product akin to a gamut of other Chinese products is “based on” a Russian aircraft.

China had previously acquired four Il-78 tankers to refuel its Russian-made SU-30 aircraft, extending their operational range to regions such as the Sea of Japan, the South China Sea, and Guam.

By late 2018, a suspected Y-20U tanker prototype was spotted at Xi’an Yanliang Airport, featuring refueling pods beneath its wings. Observers suggested it employs a hose-and-drogue refueling system similar to the H-6U and Il-78 tankers, enabling simultaneous refueling of multiple fighter jets like the J-10, J-16, and J-20, as well as larger aircraft such as the H-6C bomber and the Air Police-500A early warning platform. Later in Dec 2018, a Russian network said this capability significantly bolsters China’s aerial refueling and nuclear deterrence potential.

The development of the Y-20 tanker highlights China’s integration of aerial refueling systems into its large transport aircraft, creating a dedicated tanker platform. The Y-20 will also function as a foundation for specialized variants, including anti-submarine warfare and electronic reconnaissance aircraft, further extending China’s air and naval operational reach.

The Xi’an Y-20 is a large military transport aircraft developed by Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation. It is colloquially known within Chinese aviation circles as “Chubby Girl” due to its notably wide fuselage. The Y-20 incorporates domestically produced composite materials, a departure from earlier reliance on imports, and is the first Chinese cargo aircraft to leverage 3D printing technology, accelerating development and reducing manufacturing costs. These are the known facts about Y-20’s.

China has been making myriads of claims about it’s chubby girl, but whether it will live upto its reputation only time and new customers will tell.