New images bring more clarity about China’s Y-15
By
May Lee | 5 June 2026
The Y-15 reflects China's efforts to modernise its airlift capabilities. Source: Chinese social media
China’s new tactical transport likely seen as a replacement for the workhorse Y-9 family.
Improved images of China’s new Shaanxi Y-15/Y-30 tactical transport have emerged, offering details about the new type that resembles the Airbus Defence & Space A400M.
The four-engined aircraft is tentatively designated Y-15, although it has also been referred to as the Y-30.
Images of the aircraft conducting test flights over the city of Xian indicate that it is likely powered by the new Aero Engine Corporation of China WJ-10 turboprop, the nacelles of which cut a distinctly boxier profile compared with that of the Dongan WJ-6, which powers the earlier Y-9.
The aircraft
first appeared on Chinese social media in December 2025.
The aircraft also has a long probe extending from above the cockpit. This is probably an air data boom to support testing activity, but given China’s emphasis on air-to-air refuelling, this position could perhaps accommodate a refuelling probe in production aircraft.
This location is also where the air-to-air refuelling probe is located on other large Chinese military aircraft, namely the Shaanxi KJ-500A and Xian KJ-3000 airborne early warning and control aircraft.
One notable difference between the Y-15 and A400M is the main landing gear. The main bogies of the A400M have six wheels each, but the Y-15’s main bogies have four wheels each.
The Y-15 is understood to be smaller than the A400M, allowing it to have four-wheel main bogies similar to the Lockheed Martin C-130.
Apart from the test-flight images shared on social media, little is known about the Y-15 programme, such as the testing schedule and when the type will enter People’s Liberation Army Air Force service.
Moreover, images from China need to be treated with caution given the ease of photo manipulation with artificial intelligence.
That said, the Y-9 entered service in 2012 and became fully operational in 2017. While the Y-9 remains in production, Beijing clearly seeks a more capable aircraft in the form of the Y-15.
