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Transport & tanker

China

Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC)

Y-9

A medium tactical transport derived from the earlier Y-8 (itself based on the Soviet Antonov An-12), built by Shaanxi Aircraft with modernized turboprop engines and avionics. It also serves as the airframe basis for several PLA airborne early-warning and electronic-warfare variants.

In service since 2012 · 1 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

650

km/h

5,700

km range

10,400

m ceiling

Several performance figures for China-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Chinese state channel

State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.

Channel: State export agency

Fielded & proven

Limited · 1 operator

In service since 2012. Status: active · ~100 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Performance specifications
Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.	650 km/h Stronger than 39% of transport aircraft
Cruise speed Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station.	550 km/h Bottom 6% of transport aircraft
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.	5,700 km Stronger than 55% of transport aircraft
Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon.	10,400 m Stronger than 16% of transport aircraft

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Physical specifications
Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.	36 m
Wingspan Wingtip-to-wingtip span.	38 m
Height Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles.	11.3 m
Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew.	35,700 kg
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.	77,000 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.	3
Cargo payload Maximum cargo the transport can carry. Higher means more lift per sortie.	25,000 kg Stronger than 36% of transport aircraft
Troop capacity Number of embarked troops/passengers (IFV, APC, transport). Higher carries more.	98 Stronger than 45% of transport aircraft

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Propulsion specifications
Engine Powerplant model and type.	4x WoJiang WJ-6C turboprops
Engines Number of engines. Twin-engine gives redundancy at higher cost.	4
Engine power Engine output power. Higher moves more weight faster.	5,100 hp
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…	Turboprop

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Program specifications
Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.	100 Stronger than 59% of transport aircraft
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.	1 Stronger than 22% of transport aircraft

Specifications compiled from public Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

Compare with rivals

See how it stacks up

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Head-to-head comparisons

Y-9 vs

Y-20

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Frequently asked questions

What is the top speed of the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9? +

The Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9 has a maximum speed of 650 km/h.

What is the range of the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9? +

The Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9 has a maximum range of 5,700 km.

How much does the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9 weigh? +

The Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9 has a combat weight of 77,000 kg.

How many crew does the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9 require? +

The Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9 requires a crew of 3.

What engine does the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9 use? +

The Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9 is powered by the 4x WoJiang WJ-6C turboprops.

What is the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9 used for? +

The Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9 is a transport & tanker typically used for isr.

How many countries operate the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9? +

The Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9 is operated by 1 countries.

How much does the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9 cost? +

Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) Y-9: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.