China discloses MRTT capability for Y-20B transport aircraft

This rendering shows aerial refuelling-related alignment marks that have appeared on several of China's Y-20B transport aircraft. (Janes)

China's new Xi'an Y-20B ‘Kunpeng' transport aircraft has a multirole tanker transport (MRTT) capability, according to a documentary aired by state-owned media.

In the video, broadcast on 5 August, the state-owned China Central Television (CCTV) said the Y-20B can “switch between transport and aerial refuelling functions”. Janes cannot independently verify the claim, as Y-20B aircraft have not yet been observed with in-flight refuelling (IFR) systems.

A pilot in China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) said in the documentary that the ‘B' variant, which is powered by domestically developed Shenyang WS-20 engines, can also perform bomber, airborne early warning (AEW), and electronic warfare (EW) roles.

The WS-20 is a high-bypass-ratio turbofan engine, nicknamed ‘Chinese heart', according to CCTV, which added that integration of the powerplant with the Y-20B has enabled the variant to become “more flexible”.

While the aircraft is “primarily a transport aircraft, it can be… converted into an aerial refuelling tanker by adding refuelling pods and related kits,” CCTV added.

The Y-20B began entering service with the PLAAF in 2024–25 and is operational with the PLAAF 13th Transport Division's 37th Air Regiment at Kaifeng Air Base. The PLAAF's 12th Air Regiment (4th Transport Division) is also likely operating an initial batch of aircraft.

In the CCTV documentary, another PLAAF member, identified as Pang Rongqi, said that “the boundaries between transport aircraft and bombers, AEW, or even EW aircraft are becoming increasingly blurred. It is possible that all these missions could be accomplished with our transport aircraft platform”.