China has announced the development of the refuelling variant of Y-20 transport aircraft. It was announced that the new aircraft could carry more fuel than the HU-6 platforms in its inventory.

When the twin-engine HU-6 aircrafts on their inventory did not meet the requirements, the People's Liberation Army Air Force requested a new refuelling aircraft. Due to its low fuel capacity, it has not enough performance for China's long-range operations to support the refuelling model of the Y-20 transport aircraft. The first prototype of the new tanker aircraft, which became a strategic need for the air force, was claimed to have been detected at Yanliang Airport in the Xi’an District in recent weeks.

Chinese inventory also includes Il-78 tankers whose fuel capacity is larger than HU-6 platforms. The reason for the development of the new platform is that Russia is not willing to sell new tanks at affordable prices.