(China)

Notes: A license copy of the Antonov An-12 “Cub”, the Y-8 is used for many roles in Chinese service. Production started in the late 1960s and continues today; more than 125 have now been built plus additional examples for export and civilian (Y-8B & Y-8F100) use. The original design had a twin NR-23 gun in a manned tail turret; this is not included on the civilian versions, the specialized versions described below, nor recent examples of the military cargo version.

The cargo bay can accommodate 96 fully-armed soldiers; or 82 paratroopers; or 60 stretchers +23 lightly-wounded casualties; or 20 tons of vehicles or cargo. A roller system on the floor allows for palletized airdrops.

USERS: China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Tanzania

Specialized sub-variants in Chinese service are:

Y-8 MPA: A maritime patrol variant for the PLAN, with search radar, IRLS, and sonobuoys.

Y-8A: Specialized variant modified for airlifting helicopters. Small numbers built in 1985.

Y-8E: Specialized WZ-5 UAV mothership and cruise-missile testbed.

Y-8 EW: Specialized electronic warfare variant with powerful jammers, ECM equipment, and ELINT gear reverse-engineered from the US Navy EP-3 Aires which made a forced landing on Hainan island in the spring of 2001. The numerous fairings in the rudder root, wingtips, belly, nose, and former tail turret give it a distinct appearance. To date, only one example has been built, entering service in 2005.

Y-8 AWACS: Specialized airborne command post ; one built in 2004. It is not known if this is a testbed or an operational plane.

Project No.5: This one-off variant has a “balance beam” SLAR apparently designed via industrial espionage against the Swedish firm Ericsson.

PLAAF Airborne Command Post: One built in 2005. It features many large antennas of unknown function, including one which apparently encompasses the whole rudder.

Y-8F-600: A much-upgraded standard cargo design entering service in 2006, it features western equipment such as Canadian Pratt & Whitney turboprops, a Litton navigation system, a Bendix radio, and a Sunstrand data recorder. The twin side-hinge doors are replaced by a single ramp-style door. Drop tanks can be added for increased range.