DefenseChina’s new medium military transport aircraft makes first flight
A new Chinese medium military transport aircraft has reportedly completed its maiden flight at the Xi’an Aircraft Corporation (XAC) airfield in Xi’an, central China. The flight represents a notable milestone in China’s long-running efforts to modernize its military airlift capabilities.
The aircraft is widely referred to as the “Y-30” although this designation has not been officially confirmed. As of now, Chinese state media have not reported on the flight, and no formal announcement has been made by aviation authorities or the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
Development of the aircraft was first mentioned more than a decade ago, with expectations at the time that the program would mature during the 2020s. The project has been viewed as strategically important for renewing China’s fleet of medium transport aircraft.
In terms of size and layout, the new transport features a configuration and overall proportions comparable to the Airbus A400M.It is powered by four turboprop engines and uses a tricycle landing gear, but lacks the counter-rotating propellers used on the Airbus.
The aircraft is reportedly designed to carry up to 30 tonnes of cargo, with a maximum takeoff weight of around 80 tonnes and an operational range estimated at 6,000 to 7,000 kilometers.
The aircraft is intended to replace the aging Y-8 and Y-9 platforms currently in service with the PLA Air Force. If these specifications are confirmed, it would offer a meaningful improvement in payload capacity and range, enhancing China’s strategic and tactical airlift capabilities.
A scale model believed to represent the Y-30 was first displayed publicly at the Zhuhai Air Show in 2014, signaling long-term plans to expand China’s indigenous transport aircraft portfolio.
With the reported completion of its first flight, the program appears to be moving into a more advanced phase, although timelines for testing, certification, and entry into service remain unclear.
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