China’s military has published what appears to be the first official photograph of a Y-20B heavy transport aircraft in PLA Air Force livery fitted with aerial refuelling pods, suggesting that the multi-role tanker-transport (MRTT) configuration has entered service.
An image published by the PLA Daily newspaper on October 14 shows the four-engine aircraft painted in standard military grey, with refuelling pods beneath its wings and its rear cargo ramp open as a truck carrying equipment is behind it.
The caption said an unnamed air force unit was conducting loading training in mid-autumn. While the PLA Daily did not identify the aircraft, state broadcaster China Media Group and China Military Bugle, a PLA News Media Centre social media account, both identified it as a Y-20B on Monday.
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In the same October 19 report by China Media Group, military commentator Fu Qianshao said the Y-20B carried enough internal fuel to refuel medium or heavy fighters without additional tanks in the cargo compartment, allowing it to retain space for personnel or equipment.
A Chinese military commentator had already concluded in an October 13 opinion piece that the MRTT version had formally entered service, citing photographs showing the aircraft in PLA Air Force livery with refuelling pods fitted.