China's transport, tanker & heavy lift aircraft

Re: China's transport plane capacities

Speaking economically, it would be better to just buy Il-76 cargo planes. But military industry is a strategic asset and I support any country's decision to subsidize their military corporations -capitalism and free trade be damned.

The price tag comes from GAO, and referred to the initial order of C-17's. Subsequent orders has seen the price of the C-17 come down to $202.3 ('98 dollars). That's equal to $234.4 million in today's dollars.

Re: China's transport plane capacities

FriedRiceNSpice said:

Are you telling me soldiers will not be able to board/leave planes without ramps? Why can't they can either jump or climb up on a rope!?!

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Well, sure, that'd be possible, to climb up a rope for example, but how practical is that? How long would it need to embark/disembark a full load of soldiers that way? Bigger problem there is that a boeing 737, one of the type of planes in question, is a commercial airliner with landing gear not suited for unconvential runways. I see commercial airliners being used once an airfield has been secured enough for them to come in, land, take an hour or whatever to disembark and then lift off.

Re: China's transport plane capacities

the ukriainian an-124 is a viable solution, but china may need to expand her airfeilds a bit to support it. just buy a few and test it, then make your own transport.

Re: China's transport plane capacities

Moscow Times
September 9, 2005
Pg. 5

China To Buy Russian Jets For $1.5Bln

By Associated Press

Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Thursday that Russia would deliver long-range transport jets and tanker refueling planes to China, Russian news agencies reported.

Ivanov announced the deal after meeting in the Black Sea resort of Sochi with his Chinese counterpart, Cao Gangchuan, Interfax reported, but no details were given.

Vedomosti reported that the deal, involving 38 Il-76 transport planes and Il-78 tankers, was worth $1.5 billion.

Earlier, Cao met with President Vladimir Putin and other top members of the Russian government.

Observers say the drills also gave Russia the chance to show off military equipment, since China has become the biggest foreign buyer of Russian arms and equipment in recent years.

Since the Soviet collapse, Moscow has built strong ties with Beijing, with both countries having a common goal to counter what they see as U.S. threats to their strategic and economic interests.

Re: China's transport plane capacities

so the deal is through? now china will have some true projection abilities.

Re: China's transport plane capacities

yeah, this deal will fill a much needed gap in China's overall force structure. 40 modern medium lift military planes can do a lot. Wonder when China will develop their own modern military transport?

Re: China's transport plane capacities

walter said:

yeah, this deal will fill a much needed gap in China's overall force structure. 40 modern medium lift military planes can do a lot. Wonder when China will develop their own modern military transport?

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Well, this purchase is actually suggesting it won't be developing their own transport of this class until il76s are facing retirement. This transport fleet should last decades. With almost 50 tons it's pretty much as heavy of a transport plane as china will ever need. Even US is concentrated more on c17 than c5, there's just not that big of an advantage a 100ton pus transport gives over a 50-70 ton one.

For developing its own plane, they need to be sure theres a need for a large enough quantity to justify the development. So, IF there's gonna be a domestically made transport, i see a smaller plane to replace the y-8 as a possibility. Even that not before 2015 or so.

Re: China's transport plane capacities

china will be using the il-76's for a while. the y-8 will just never be as capable.

the aquisition of the il-78 tankers means they can finally refuel their sukois for loger range missions.

Re: China's transport plane capacities

But the question is... How well can the Ilyushin-76/78 last and how well when it comes to a time of crisis

Re: China's transport plane capacities

are you questionning he reliabiliuty of the planes? they will perform fine as long as china can operate them effectively.