[Janes Defence: China Expands Y-20B Transport Fleet]

According to a report published on July 7, 2026, by Jane's Defence Weekly (Janes) website based in the UK: Video footage released by China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) on June 30, 2026, shows that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has expanded its fleet of Xi’an Y-20B "Kunpeng" transport aircraft.

The video, produced to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the type's induction into the PLAAF, shows 10 Y-20B aircraft participating in a "elephant walk" at an air base in Kaifeng, located in central China. This number represents an increase from the five Y-20Bs observed via satellite imagery in November 2024. The PLAAF had officially unveiled three Y-20B aircraft in September 2025.

The main difference between the Y-20B and its predecessor, the Y-20A, lies in the engine upgrade: the Y-20B is equipped with the domestically developed large-bypass turbofan WS-20 (WS-20), whereas the Y-20A uses Russian-made D-30KP-II series turbofans, each producing a thrust of 117.7 kN. The WS-20, developed by Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC), has a rated thrust of 127.5 kN.

Although AVIC’s video obscured most of the aircraft registration numbers, the identifier “20342” was briefly visible. This aircraft belongs to the 37th Regiment of the 13th Air Division, stationed in Kaifeng.

The AVIC video also features, for the first time, a close-up shot of the front fan section of the WS-20 engine. The engine employs 32 narrow-chord, high-aspect-ratio fan blades with protruding shoulders. The WS-20 is likely the military variant of AECC’s civil large-bypass turbofan engine, the AEF1200, which shares similar design characteristics. AECC previously displayed a full-scale model of the AEF1200 at the 2024 China Airshow, which also featured 32 fan blades.

Disclaimer: The above equipment data are sourced from reports on the Jane's Defence Weekly website.

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Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870054919028747/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.