China Unveils New Medium Tactical Airlifter to Complement Transport Fleet

China has flown a previously rumored turboprop military transport aircraft, the Y-30, for the first time, according to grainy video and still images circulating on Chinese social media. The aircraft is believed to be a product of Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation and has a high-wing configuration, four turboprop engines, and a T-tail configuration. China first displayed a model of the Y-30 at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2014, and the aircraft is expected to gradually replace older Y-8 aircraft and supplement the Y-9 fleet. The Y-30’s design and capabilities may indicate a shift towards a more flexible platform for regional transport, humanitarian missions, and rapid deployment operations. This is according to International Defence Analysis (@Defence_IDA) on Twitter, where the aircraft was first reported.