By Yu Hongchun
On June 27, 2016, a Y-20 aircraft sits on the apron at an airfield of a PLA Air Force base. The aircraft was officially commissioned into service with the Chinese PLA Air Force days later.
The Y-20 is China's first domestically developed new-generation large military transport aircraft. Characterized by its long range, heavy payload capacity and high speed, it is capable of conducting long-distance airlift operations for both personnel and cargo under complex meteorological conditions.
On July 6, 2016, the Y-20 was officially commissioned into service with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, marking a pivotal step forward in the Chinese PLA Air Force's strategic projection capability.
Since its commissioning, the Y-20 has undertaken a broad spectrum of missions, ranging from military transport operations and participation in military parades to international humanitarian assistance. It has become an integral part of the Chinese PLA Air Force's realistic combat-oriented training system, while also playing an increasingly prominent role in military operations other than war (MOOTW), including emergency rescue and disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and transnational airlift missions. The Chinese PLA Air Force's main combat aircraft has entered a new era represented by the Y-20, the J-20 and other advanced aircraft at an unprecedented pace.
Over the past decade, the Y-20 has evolved from a single transport platform into a broad family of aircraft comprising multiple variants, including the Y-20A, Y-20B and YY-20A aerial tanker. Its operational footprint now extends across Asia, Africa, Europe and Oceania, making it a defining symbol of the Chinese PLA Air Force's endeavor to build itself into a world-class armed force.
On July 13, 2022, Y-20A transport aircraft attached to a unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force taxi in formation on a runway at night.
On July 14, 2022, a Y-20A aircraft attached to an aviation unit under Chinese PLA Air Force releases decoy flares to simulate evading a mock enemy attack during realistic combat-oriented training.
On September 23, 2021, a Y-20A aircraft attached to an aviation unit under Chinese PLA Air Force conducts a heavy-equipment airdrop after arriving in a designated airspace.
On September 23, 2021, a Y-20A aircraft attached to an aviation unit under Chinese PLA Air Force opens its cargo door after reaching a designated airspace, while airborne troops jumping from the well deck of the aircraft during a parachute training exercise.
On September 23, 2021, a Y-20A aircraft attached to an aviation unit under Chinese PLA Air Force opens its cargo door after reaching a designated airspace, while airborne troops jumping from the well deck of the aircraft during a parachute training exercise.
On July 19, 2023, the Chinese PLA Air Force dispatches multiple Y-20A aircraft to transport newly admitted pilot cadets to the Aviation University of the Air Force to report for enrollment.
On April 27, 2026, a group of Y-20B aircraft attached to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force stage in “Elephant Walk” during a training exercise.
On July 12, 2022, two Y-20A aircraft attached to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force pierce through the clouds during along-endurance flight training exercise.
On September 25, 2019, three Y-20A aircraft attached to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force participating in the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China conduct adaptation training.
On May 12, 2026, ground crew members assigned to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force perform maintenance on a Y-20A aircraft.
On April 12, 2025, over snow-covered mountains in China, YY-20A aerial refueling aircraft flies in formation with J-10 fighter jets during the China-Egypt "Eagles of Civilization-2025" joint air force training.
On April 28, 2025, a Chinese PLA Air Force YY-20A aerial refueling aircraft conducts aerial refueling training with Egyptian Air Force MiG-29 fighter aircraft during the China-Egypt "Eagles of Civilization-2025"joint air force training in Egypt.
On May 1, 2025, Chinese YY-20A aerial refueling aircraft and J-10 fighters, together with Egyptian MiG-29 fighter aircraft, fly in ultra-low altitude over the Pyramids during the China-Egypt "Eagles of Civilization-2025"joint air force training.
On May 1, 2025, in Cairo, Egypt, a YY-20A aerial refueling aircraft and J-10 and MiG-29 fighter aircraft participating in the China-Egypt "Eagles of Civilization-2025"joint air force training fly in formation at ultra-low altitude over the Pyramids.
On April 27, 2026, a Y-20 aircraft attached to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force conducts nighttime flight training.
On May 13, 2026, pilots assigned to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force walk in formation.
On April 22, 2026, a Chinese PLA Air Force Y-20B aircraft carrying the 13th batch of remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs from the Republic of Korea arrives in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. This marked the first overseas mission completed by a Y-20B aircraft powered by a domestically developed engine.
On April 22, 2026, A Chinese PLA Air Force Y-20B aircraft carrying the 13th batch of remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs from the Republic of Korea arrives in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, where it receives a water salute upon landing. This marks the first overseas mission completed by a Y-20B aircraft powered by a domestically developed engine.
On April 25, 2026, a Y-20B aircraft attached to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force takes off from an airfield.
On July 13, 2022, airmen assigned to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force review the Party admission oath in front of a Y-20A aircraft.
On July 13, 2022, airmen assigned to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force review the Party admission oath in front of a Y-20A aircraft.
On November 5, 2022, a J-20 stealth fighter jet lands at China's Zhuhai Jinwan Airport and taxis past YY-20A aerial refueling aircraft during the 14th Airshow China.
On July 26, 2023,a YY-20A aerial refueling aircraft attached to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force releases decoy flares during the 2023 aviation open-day activities of the Chinese PLA Air Force and Changchun Air Show in Changchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province.
On September 16, 2025, a YY-20A aerial refueling aircraft attached to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force performs a flight demonstration at the 2025 aviation open-day activities of the Chinese PLA Air Force and Changchun Air Show in Changchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province.
On July 26, 2023, one YY-20A aerial refueling aircraft, two J-20 stealth fighter jets and two J-16 fighters conduct a flight demonstration in an aerial refueling formation during the 2023 aviation open-day activities of the Chinese PLA Air Force and Changchun Air Show in Changchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province. The three flagship aircraft types made their first public appearance together, showcasing the steady enhancement of the PLA Air Force's strategic capabilities.
On May 12, 2026, one YY-20A aerial refueling aircraft attached to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force refuels two J-20 stealth fighter jets simultaneously in flight.
