SINGAPORE — China unveiled an export version of the People’s Liberation Army’s signature attack helicopter at the Singapore Air Show this week.
Although China has participated in the air show every other year, this will be the first time that a Chinese state-owned company will display military aircraft at an air show outside the country.
China announced the Z-10ME at the China Air Show 2021. Some analysts have since compared it to Boeing’s AH-64 Apache.
The People’s Liberation Army uses the helicopter for military exercises near Taiwan and India. More than 200 Z-10s and their numerous variants are in active service with the People’s Liberation Army, according to the Military Balance 2023 report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank.
The attack helicopter was developed by Changhe Aircraft Industry and brought to the air show by the state-owned China Aviation Technology Import and Export Corporation and the China Aviation Industry Corporation.
At this year’s Singapore Air Show, the company displayed an export version known as the Changhe Z-10-ME-02, alongside its rocket launcher, GR5 guided rocket, and air-to-air missiles CM-502KG and TY-90. The Chinese delegation did not respond to requests for interviews about the helicopter and has not scheduled any media briefings.
The helicopter can carry 23mm high-explosive incendiary bombs and a 280kg drop tank. The aircraft is equipped with a mast-mounted radar, a missile approach warning system and a directional infrared countermeasures system for heat-seeking (IR) missiles, the air show magazine Flight Daily News said.
Previous Changhe Z-10s were equipped with air-to-ground missiles and large air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder.
Besides China, this aircraft is also used by Pakistan’s military. In 2022, Pakistan military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Babar Iftikhar announced the government’s plan to procure Z-10ME attack helicopters from Turkey to replace the previously awarded contract for T129 attack helicopters.
The Pakistan military reportedly received an initial lot of Z-10MEs last year, although the government has not disclosed the number or price of the helicopters it has ordered.
Leilani Chavez is Defense News’ Asia correspondent. Her reporting expertise includes East Asian politics, development projects, environmental issues, and security.