Chinese state media reported on Aug. 6 that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force had carried out a large-scale air exercise to South China Sea. Among the official photos released is one showing the Su-30MKK doing a mid-air refueling. This is the first official confirmation that the Chinese Su-30MKK has an air fueling capability.
The fighter is believed to be from the 18th Fighter Division, Hunan Province. The only aircraft in the PLAAF inventory capable of refueling the Su-30MKK is the Il-78 which entered service recently.