In May, the Chinese Air Force revealed that a new aerial refueling aircraft was refueling its own fighter aircraft during a joint patrol with Russia.
"Chinese military aircraft will be able to operate longer and more extensively, which could pose a threat not only to Taiwan but also to Japan and the rest of Asia," analysts said.
When the Chinese Air Force participated in a joint patrol over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea in May, the Chinese and Russian air forces carried out a new aerial refueling tanker "Yu-20" in the air. I made it clear at the press conference that I had refueled.
The Chinese military had announced that the Todoroki 6K bomber was participating in the joint patrol, but it had not been announced until now that the Yuu 20 was participating.
The Chinese Air Force also released a video purported to be of the mid-air refueling, but did not specify when or where it was filmed.
China's state-run Xinhua News Agency said the Ying20 is a next-generation aerial refueling tanker that will strengthen the air force's ability to operate over a wider area.
Bonji Kohara, a former Maritime Self-Defense Force officer and a senior researcher at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation who is well versed in China's military situation, said, "Chinese military aircraft will be able to operate for a longer period of time and over a wider area. It could be a threat," he said.