China Delivers Three More Y-8 Transport Aircraft to Kazakhstan’s National Guard

China has delivered three more Y-8F-200WA military transport aircraft to Kazakhstan, significantly strengthening the airlift capabilities of the Central Asian country’s National Guard. The latest aircraft—tail numbers 04, 05, and 06—were spotted in newly released photos taken on July 22, 2025, confirming their delivery.

These new additions raise Kazakhstan’s total fleet of Chinese Y-8 aircraft to six, with two more deliveries expected in the future. The aircraft are used primarily by the National Guard, a paramilitary force responsible for internal security, emergency response, and logistics. The delivery marks one of the first major documented instances of Chinese military transport aircraft being supplied to a former Soviet republic, signaling growing defense ties between Beijing and Nur-Sultan.

This aircraft deal was initiated back in 2018, when Kazakhstan and China’s Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation signed an agreement for the delivery of eight Y-8F-200WA aircraft. The first unit, bearing tail number 01, was delivered in September 2018, followed by tail number 02 in December 2023 and 03 in April 2024. The new aircraft were delivered throughout 2025, as previously reported, and were seen sporting the livery of Kazakhstan’s National Guard. Ceremonies involving Chinese test pilots marked the arrival of earlier deliveries.

The Y-8F-200WA, also known as the “Pegasus”, is a modern export-oriented version of China’s Y-8, which itself was developed from the Soviet Antonov An-12 through reverse engineering after the Sino-Soviet split. Built by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation, the Y-8 series has evolved into one of China’s most versatile military aircraft platforms. The F-200WA model includes a stretched fuselage, improved cargo handling, and four WJ-6 turboprop engines with 4,250 horsepower each. It can carry up to 23 tons of cargo, 96 troops, or 60 medical stretchers, making it ideal for logistics, troop transport, and disaster relief operations.

The aircraft offers strong value for countries like Kazakhstan, combining short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance with Soviet-style compatibility, allowing it to operate from semi-prepared airstrips across the country’s vast territory. These features are especially useful given Kazakhstan’s rugged terrain and dispersed population centers.

While Kazakhstan still operates Soviet-era platforms like the An-74, it has recently expanded its airlift fleet with modern Western aircraft. In December 2024, the country received its first Airbus A400M, with a second one expected in 2026. This is part of a broader multi-vector military procurement strategy, which includes partnerships with both European and Chinese defense manufacturers. Kazakhstan also signed a memorandum with Airbus for maintenance and overhauls of its C295 fleet.

The Y-8 series has been exported to several other countries, including Pakistan, Myanmar, Venezuela, and Sri Lanka, with over 169 units produced by 2010. While China continues to develop newer versions, like the Y-8F-600 and Y-9, the Y-8F-200WA remains a cost-effective workhorse for many nations.

The growing fleet of Chinese aircraft in Kazakhstan may reflect a broader realignment in regional military logistics, especially as Ukraine’s Antonov production remains impacted by ongoing conflict. China, with its active aircraft manufacturing capability, is likely to play an increasing role in supplying transport aircraft to Central Asia.

Once the final two aircraft are delivered, Kazakhstan’s eight-strong Y-8 fleet will form one of the largest Chinese-built military airlift groups in the region—working alongside A400Ms and older An-series aircraft to meet the country’s strategic and tactical mobility needs.