According to Shaanxi Aircraft Company's press release,
(here) the PLA has placed its single-largest order for the Y-8C tactical transport aircraft to date. The exact number of aircrafts involved with this order has not been made public but it is rumored over a dozen and training of the new ground support personnel has already started.
(here) (here)The Y-8C order has been under negotiation for some time and does not seem to be related to the recent Airborne Maneuver 2009 military exercise. However, it does indicate that PLAAF is no longer waiting for the Y-9 project to bear fruit
(here) and opted for a less capable but presently available solution for its immediate tactical airlift need.
2 comments:
I find this news strange, I really do not understand whats going on here.
The PLAAF already buys a similar but better aircraft in the form of the Y-8 Balance Beam AWACS.
Why not just order the same aircraft without the radar and associated systems as a stripped down but more efficient transport, with more modern cockpit and avionics, and more modern propellers?
Cost -- everything inside of the Y-8C made in China. If they just want a truck, there is no need for extra cup-holders.
It is a classic example of the PLAAF being cheap.
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