
milosh wrote:Problem with Chinese IL-78 is operational status, because they aren't brand new as Indian tankers but ones build in 1980s.
Agreed on built dates.
MSN 0073478359/59-10 built Jan 1, 1987 – PLAAF s/no 20641
MSN 0073479400/60-10 built Feb 1, 1988 – PLAAF s/no 20642
MSN 0063469066/52-07 built Sep 30, 1986 – PLAAF s/no 20643
China signed a contract with Ukraine ~2011/2012 to refurbish/re-manufacture the 3 and was delivered ~2014.
Agreed IAF ones are new builds in 2003/2004.
milosh wrote:H-6 fleet status is also questionable for example in Indian Defence Review (Jan-Mar 2019) Vol 34.1 they mentioned only 10 are operational and weak tanker fleet is biggest problem for PLAAF to conduct meaningful operations against India.
All of China's tanker bases are far away from India.I think way more than 10 H-6U/DUs operational, tracking serials.
milosh wrote:Y-20 tanker? Very likely but we need to see first prototype, then they need to build nice number of them to have decent tanker fleet. IAF also plan to buy more tankers, six IL-78 I think.
Spotted 2018 in production green. That's why a lot of online chatter expecting service entry soon.
Ps @Xandercrews, won't run out as long as one can borrow.