(Video source: CCTV)

China’s Y-20 transport aircraft successfully dropped heavy gear on a plateau during a recent combat training, which has opened the gate towards a new stage of its development, CCTV reported Monday.

Paratroopers in groups board a Y-20 transport aircraft. 

The success was deemed an evidence that Chinese airborne forces are ready for large-scale and heavily-geared combat with strong maneuvering capability at high elevations, and protection and firepower, according to CCTV.107 mm multi-barrel rockets were among the airdropped gear. With a maximum range of 8 kilometers, the light rockets with strong firepower are one of the major support weapons of rapid reaction forces like airborne troops. Over 100 paratroopers jumped off the aircraft in four lines from the three exits of the Y-20, and achieved an accurate and smooth landing after the equipment touched down.

“Y-20 has bigger ambitions. It will undertake strategic transport missions and be further developed into a new special aircraft acting as a large aerial tanker, an early warning aircraft and a commanding aircraft to help improve the arming system of the air force,” said Fu Qianshao, an air force expert.

The aircraft entered service into the People's Liberation Army Air Force on June 15, 2016. It conducted its maiden flight abroad to Pakistan on April 24, and first non-military action to Wuhan on February 13.

(Compiled by Yang Mengzhuo)