China may have overcome one of the most critical challenges in its aviation industry — dependence on foreign powerplants. Beijing is actively expanding its fleet of heavy military transport aircraft Y-20B, which are now equipped with domestically produced WS-20 engines, replacing Russian counterparts.

"Elephant walk" reveals real numbers

According to the authoritative publication Janes, the military transport aviation of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLAAC) has already received at least ten aircraft of the new modification. This became known thanks to the so-called "elephant walk" — a mass sortie of equipment conducted at the "Kaifeng" airbase in central China.

It was during this event that observers managed to record ten Y-20B transporters at once. This observation contradicts official statements and earlier data:

  • In September 2025, representatives of the PLAAF officially stated that they had only three such aircraft.
  • Satellite images of the airbase taken in November 2024 showed only five machines.

Thus, the new footage indicates a sharp increase in the fleet of these strategic machines over a relatively short period.

Identification and tactical affiliation

Although the serial numbers of most aircraft in the video were intentionally obscured, a machine with the number 20342 was briefly recorded. Janes experts were able to establish its affiliation with the 37th Aviation Regiment of the 13th Air Division of military transport aviation, which is stationed precisely at the "Kaifeng" airfield.

Technical specifications and comparison

Today, China operates approximately 55 aircraft of the Y-20 family. However, the overwhelming majority — up to 45 machines — belong to the Y-20A modification. These aircraft use Russian D-30KP series II engines with a thrust of 117.7 kN.

The transition to domestic WS-20 engines in the Y-20B modification allows Beijing to gradually reduce its dependence on Russian components. The maximum payload capacity of the Y-20 is up to 60 tons, which effectively corresponds to the capabilities of the Russian Il-76MD-90. This is why the Y-20B is considered a direct Chinese analogue of this legendary transport aircraft.

Other military novelties

In addition to events in China, other significant changes in military technology are taking place around the world:

  • Russia: Has begun installing new "Pereyed-M" electronic warfare complexes on large surface ships to counter Ukrainian drones. The system has already been spotted on the cruiser "Varyag", the corvette "Steregushchiy", and other fleet units.
  • USA: The Pentagon launched the Massed Modular Aircraft initiative. The goal is to replace some of the expensive MQ-9A Reaper drones with cheaper modular devices that can be mass-produced and lost without critical financial losses.