Pakistan eyes Chinese attack helicopters if deliveries of US and Turkish orders fail

The CAIC Z-10 attack helicopter. Photo c/ Goodfon.com.

The Pakistan Army (PA) confirmed that it is seriously considering Chinese attack helicopters, specifically the CAIC Z-10 attack helicoipter, as an alternative to American and Turkish models as replacement to ageing fleet of Bell AH-1F Cobra helicopters.

The Pakistan Ministry of Defence (MOD) ordered twelve (12) Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters in 2015 under a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, with deliveries expected to start in 2017. But deliveries were blocked by the US government under the administration of Pres. Donald Trump’s decision to cut security funding to Pakistan as the helicopters were partially funded by US military aid.

In addition, the MOD also ordered thirty (30) T129 ATAK attack helicopter from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in 2018. But export sanctions against both Pakistan and Turkey on the supply of LHTEC T800 engines by the US government has affected the ability of TAI to deliver the helicopters to the PA.

While TAI is developing an indigenous turbine engine as an alternative to the LHTEC T800, this is still an ongoing development and is not expected to be available anytime soon. Pakistan has set a deadline by July 2020 if it will cancel its previous orders and go for an alternative source, including China’s Z-10ME.

The PA Aviation Corps has 48 Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters, although it is believed that only around 32 are in service. The helicopters are not able to operate beyond at high altitudes of beyond 8,000 feet, where conflicts with militants from Afghanistan and a possible conflict with India would likely take place.

Pakistan is also seeking parity against India, as the Indian Air Force (IAF) has started fielding the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, while the Indian Army (IA) has started ordering its own AH-64E attack helicopters in support of ground operations. 

In the meantime, the PA is using four (4) Russian-made Mil Mi-35 gunships it acquired a few years ago for high altitude operations.


[1] Flight Global


[2] Jane’s Defence Weekly