Pakistan gets Chinese Z-10ME attack helicopters to bolster defense capability
The Pakistan Army has officially
begun receiving its first units of Chinese-made Z-10ME attack helicopters,
according to recently surfaced images and video clips shared on social media.
The helicopters, marked with
Pakistan Army Aviation Corps insignia, indicate the start of a long-awaited
transition from the aging AH-1F Cobra fleet, which has been in service since
the early 1980s.
Speculation regarding the deliveries
emerged late last month, with fresh visual evidence now confirming the arrival
of the helicopters. The Z-10MEs are seen in dark camouflage schemes, resembling
Chinese Army aviation patterns. Notably, the aircraft lack the mast-mounted
millimeter-wave radar dome found in earlier versions of the Z-10.
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The Z-10ME is an advanced export
version of China’s Z-10 attack helicopter, developed by Changhe Aircraft
Industries Corporation under AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China). It
is designed for high-performance operations in harsh conditions, incorporating
upgraded survivability features, enhanced targeting systems, and improved
self-defense capabilities.
Chinese defense sources describe the
Z-10ME as the most capable iteration of the Z-10 to date. Key improvements
reportedly include reinforced armor, upgraded electronic warfare systems, and
modified engine performance—tailored for environments with extreme temperatures
and high altitudes.
Open-source assessments suggest that
the version supplied to Pakistan, while lacking the radar dome, includes
sophisticated electro-optical targeting equipment and integrated
countermeasures.
Pakistan has long sought a modern
successor to the AH-1F Cobra. Although the U.S. approved the sale of AH-1Z
Vipers to Pakistan in 2015, that deal stalled amid diplomatic tensions,
creating space for Chinese platforms to fill the gap.
Though neither Chinese nor Pakistani
officials have made formal announcements, the footage showing Z-10MEs in
Pakistani markings strongly implies that deliveries have moved beyond the
testing or evaluation phase.
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The Pakistan Army Aviation Corps has
not disclosed the quantity of helicopters ordered or delivered, but defense
analysts believe the arrival signals the beginning of a broader upgrade of
Pakistan’s attack helicopter fleet.
While the exact operational readiness
of the Z-10MEs in Pakistan remains unclear, their appearance marks a
significant step forward in the growing military cooperation between Pakistan
and China. This partnership has already produced key joint ventures such as the
JF-17 Thunder fighter jet and continues to strengthen through expanded arms
exports and defense collaborations.
Source: defence-blog.com