The Chinese air force released a video demonstrating the latest YY-20 aerial refuelling aircraft. In the video, the refuelling tanker converted from the Y-20 transport aircraft provides jet fuel to a J-16 fighter. This is the first time the Chinese military has officially presented a video of the YY-20 tanker to the public. A few days ago, the air force spokesman announced that the YY-20 aircraft had completed training to refuel the J-16 fighter, but no video was released at the time. This marks a milestone in the development of the Chinese aerial refuelling fleet. It will vastly improve the combat capability.

In recent years, the Chinese air force has developed three refuelling platforms: the HY-6 converted from the H-6 bomber, the Russian-made Ilyushin 76 refuelling variant, and the Navy J-15 buddy store refuelling fighter. The YY-20 is based on the large-sized Y-20 cargo plane. It is the first Chinese-developed tanker that can make a real difference. The reason is that the HY-6 carries too little fuel to refuel multiple aircraft, the Russian plane can’t meet the demand for quantity, and the J-15 is a fighter jet that is very limited in terms of how much fuel it can carry. With the YY-20 ready to serve in combat, China has systematically solved yet another requirement in modern aerial combat, pushing the envelope of its aircraft fleet to further adventure into the Pacific or Sino-Indian border area.

The YY-20 and J-16 refuelling training occurred close to the Chinese military exercise targeting Taiwan. On August 9, the Eastern Theater Command continued to organise sea and air joint exercises and training in waters and airspace around Taiwan Island. The YY-20 adds another level of sophisticated capability to these exercises. This tanker can help the aircraft in similar combat operations to have extended range and flight time, better supporting air combat forces to ensure control of airspace if a war does break out. A media report indicates that, based on Chinese operational support requirements, in a battle, the YY-20 tanker will establish refuelling positions in the predetermined airspace and prepare for fuel delivery. According to the fuel quantity plan, multiple fighters or bombers can fly to the refuelling position according to the established route or from unplanned routes with control and guidance from airborne command aircraft. Then the HY-20 will perform refuelling based on the urgency of each aircraft's refuelling requirements, and then the refuelled aircraft can swiftly return to the operation area and continue its mission, or return to ground base.

Overall, the YY-20 is China's new-generation aerial refuelling aircraft and can effectively strengthen the long-range combat capability of the Chinese aviation fleet. It is worth noting that the tanker is also capable of undertaking personnel and cargo delivery tasks just like the Y-20 transport aircraft.

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Photo and video: Wiki common, Yangshipin site

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