China unveils the development of a new large military transport aircraft the Y-20 3012121.

The advanced long-range carrier is being developed to serve the military modernization drive, as well as to meet demands in disaster relief work and humanitarian aid in emergency situations, he added.

The spokesman did not say when the Y-20s will be fitted out in force, only saying "the research and development of the large transport aircraft is going forward as planned."

There will be a series of steps before the carriers are fitted out, "as the technology is complicated," he added.

The Xian Y-20 is a large military transport aircraft. It is being developed by Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation for the Chinese PLAAF. The Y-20 prototype is powered by four Russian D30 series turbofan engines and the production aircraft will sport the WS-20 engines.

It was reported the Y-20 is undergoing ground testing starting from December 2012, including runway taxi tests