Chinese Xi'an Y20B transport aircraft have lost their Russian engines. They were replaced by security forces
What is known
Chinese State Televisionpublished a story dedicated to the updated aircraft. It is possible that Xi'an Y20B with new engines have already been adopted by the People's Liberation Army of the PRC.
China's Y-20B with the WS-20 high-bypass engine
Now officially confirmed to be in service with the Chinese air force.
In terms of engine variety and sophistication, China's aerospace engine industry for the most part have entered top tier status, previously occupied by the US pic.twitter.com/ItoTNSBL75
— Zhao DaShuai 无条件爱国???????? (@zhao_dashuai) April 6, 2023
Previously, the aircraft was equipped with a D-30KP-2 engineRussian production. However, the Chinese military decided to abandon it and replace it with the WS-20 power plant. This is a step towards getting rid of dependence on Russia, which can hardly be called a reliable partner in the face of sanctions.
WS-20 has a thrust of 137.9 kN versus 117.65 kN forD-30KP-2. Probably, China did not experience problems with the development of a new engine, since it was originally planned that the power plant would be ready in 2024.
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Xi'an Y20B is positioned as a competitor to the C-17Globemaster, however, due to the Russian engine, he could not compete with the American aircraft. The Chinese WS-20 powerplant is expected to bring the Y20B closer to the Globemaster.