China is testing a domestically ­designed engine for its military transport planes that could ­replace the Russian engines the fleet currently relies upon and ­increase the loads that can be ­carried by around 20 per cent, ­according to a military source. The increased capacity would mean planes could transport China’s most advanced tank, the 58-tonne 99A, which is too heavy for the current engines. Dr Michael Raska, an Assistant Professor at RSIS said: “The new WS-20 engines on the Y-20 variants are designed to increase the operational reach and cargo ­capacity, essentially enabling strategic airlifts for the People’s Liberation Army. “Flying longer, faster and heavier would, of course, provide more options for the PLA to reach its operational objectives,” Raska said. However, beyond the operational implications, there are questions about whether the Chinese defence industry would be able to ensure the quality and reliability of these engines, he said.