Improvement of Combat Capability of Chinese J-20 Stealth Fighter Jet

Public Unveiling of Self-Developed Aerial Refueling Aircraft YU-20
Combat Operational Radius Improved by 35%... Suggests Capability Against US Forces Beyond First Island Chain

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Jo Young-shin] The Chinese People's Liberation Army announced that it will publicly showcase its domestically developed aerial refueling tanker, the 'YU-20', at the 'Changchun Aviation Open Event' held in Changchun City, Jilin Province, from the 28th to the 29th. Chinese media, including Xinhua News Agency, reported that this event will take place during the Changchun Airshow, which runs from the 26th to the 30th.

Photo by Xinhua News Agency Capture

Chinese media cited a spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army Air Force, emphasizing that the highlight of this event is the aerial refueling tanker YU-20.

Spokesperson Xian Jin-ke stated, "This is the first time the aerial refueling tanker YU-20 is being revealed to the general public."

He added that various military aircraft, including the J-20 stealth fighter, Y-20 transport aircraft, YU-20, and other 20-series military aircraft, as well as the J-16, the main fighter of the Chinese Air Force, will also be displayed.

The YU-20 is an aerial refueling tanker modified from the Y-20 transport aircraft. The Y-20 transport is known to be modeled after the American C-17 transport aircraft. It reportedly has a range of 7,500 km and a maximum payload capacity of 66 tons.

China has long faced criticism for lacking a significant aerial refueling tanker, limiting the operational range of its fighters. The existing HY-6 aerial refueling tanker can only refuel four J-10 fighters, which has been criticized as insufficient to extend the combat radius of fighters.

The Chinese Air Force's decision to prominently feature the YU-20 at this event is interpreted as an announcement that the operational range of its fighters has been expanded.

Photo by China Military Online capture

Chinese military expert Wang Mingz explained, "With the deployment of the YU-20, the combat radius of Chinese fighters has expanded by up to 35%," adding, "The Chinese Air Force's long-range combat capabilities, including long-distance attack and defense, have greatly improved."

The long distances mentioned by China likely refer to the area between the First Island Chain (Okinawa?Taiwan?Philippines?Borneo) and the Second Island Chain (Guam?Saipan?Papua New Guinea). The maximum combat radius of China's main stealth fighter, the J-20, is known to be around 2,000 km. Before the deployment of the YU-20, Chinese fighters found it difficult to operate beyond the First Island Chain.

Chinese media emphasized that the YU-20 aerial refueling tanker can simultaneously refuel two aircraft, and with its deployment, the Chinese Air Force can now execute a variety of tactics.

Spokesperson Xian said, "Immediately after Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, various aircraft including the J-20 stealth fighter, J-16 fighter, and H-6K bomber conducted long-duration flight training near the island of Taiwan with the support of the YU-20 aerial refueling tanker," asserting that the Chinese Air Force is equipped to defend sovereignty and territory.