China showed interest in Il-78MK-90A: what hackers found in Rostec documents

China plans to strengthen its air force by requesting 20 refueling aircraft from Russia, despite already having its own YY-20s. This information was revealed by the hacker group Black Mirror, which published documents of the Russian state corporation Rostec. They refer to a possible agreement to supply these aircraft until 2027-2028.

The intended version of the aircraft, adapted for China, is marked “K” in the modification name. The Il-78MK-90A is based on the Il-76MD-90A transport aircraft, but its production in Russia has faced constant difficulties, and so far, only one has been built, casting doubt on its potential for mass export.

China has been producing its own YY-20 refuelers for several years, but it currently has only 17 aircraft in its arsenal. Many of the fleet still consists of outdated H-6Us, modernized models from the 1950s, and some Il-78s bought in Ukraine. Given the scale of Chinese aviation, this may not be enough.

In light of threats of an invasion of Taiwan and a possible conflict with the United States, China needs to ensure reliable aerial refueling of combat aircraft. The purchase of aircraft in Russia could partially solve this need.

There are no official confirmations of the agreement at this time. The situation may be that the contract remains secret and is carried out in whispers, or that China has decided to abandon the deal and assess the real capabilities of the Russian defense industry.

This indicates China’s growing need for modern refueling aircraft, which may indicate preparations for a potential major conflict.