Y-20's are still a rare sight but become frequent visitors to Europe it seems. Six were seen in Serbia in April 2022 while one participated in the AirPower'22 in Zeltweg. This airframe brought some 40 chinese soldiers to participe in a championship of mountain warfare experts called "Edelweiss Raid", taking place in Tirol annualy. It is seen here departing on Innbruck's RWY26 heading back empty to Urumqi in North-Western China via Tekirdag (Turkey) to refuel, taking the very same flight route it came in one and a half hours earlier.

The Y-20 is the biggest aircraft so far designed and produced by China. It first flew in 2013 and entered service with the PLAAF in 2016. Even though counting less than 40 frames at the time of upload, the Y-20 fleet already makes a difference in China's strategic capabilities. The airframe and avioincs are of modern design, the weak point being the Soviet developped Solowjow D-30KP-2 engines (also used on the IL-76), the orign of which dates back to the 1960's. The IL-76 served the chinese engieers as a model, resulting in the Y-20 having a similar look, dimensions & weights like the IL-76.

Pictured after the conclusion of AirPower 2022 under tow from its static position in the display area to the east end of the airfield, possibly to be prepped for departure. I believe this was the European air show debut for this type so one of the top highlights from the show.

Another view of the sixth production Y-20 as it is put through its paces during the Sunday show.

Awaiting departure along with sister-ship 11057 after China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition 2018.

The Xian Y-20 transport, the largest military aircraft in current production, utilises various modern build techniques including 3D-printing.The Russian engines sound just like the Il-76, not surprisingly as they are same Soloviev D-30s as widely used on the Ilyushin. It is intended to replace them with Chinese ones in due course. First flying in 2013, at least 15 have been built so far. This was one of two Y-20s of the 4th Transport Division/12th Air Regiment based at Chengdu/Qionglai appearing at China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition 2018.