Chinese Airlifter

David Axe at Danger Room recently reported that China has just developed a new operational / strategic airlifter that looks a lot like a C-17, and updated the report with a satellite photo of the plane.  Axe reports that the new Y-20 looks like the C-17 in design (though one should check out the comments for the blog ridiculing his simplicity) and discusses some of the dependencies associated with the development of such a platform.  Particularly, that China’s military industrial complex lacks the requisite technology and would therefore have to buy engines from the Russians.  This advancement can be seen as significant given the association of effective airlift with the ability to be expeditionary, and some of the tensions in the region.

The history of US military logistics accentuates the importance of airlift for a major power that wants to be truly expeditionary.  Arguably, “The Hump” in the CBI theater of WWII, a supply assistance program that had strategic objectives, really constituted the birth of the concept in its most important form.  The commander of final stage of the Hump operation went on to command the Berlin Airlift operation during the Cold War.  Our Air Mobility Command continues to perform major operations, to include relief operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

China’s bellicosity in her region make this revelation seem perhaps more dangerous / scary than it really should be.  Recent tensions over who has rightful claim to the Spratley Islands has “warmed the waters” in the South China Sea.  Furthermore, recent events reignited tensions between China and Japan over some disputed islands in the East China Sea.  The country has made interesting developments over the past couple of years, to include the purchase of a former Russian aircraft carrier, and revealing a new stealth fighter.  Releasing that it has strategic lift capability certainly complements China’s efforts if she wants to flex her muscles as a regional and potentially global power.