China’s PLA increases the capacity of its helicopter fleet

Hong Kong: The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) once relied on Russian-made and reverse-engineered European helicopters, but the country’s aerospace industry is now designing and building a range of indigenous helicopters. The latest platform to emerge is a new heavy attack helicopter similar to the American AH-64 Apache.

Low-resolution images of the new attack helicopter conducting flight tests, taken by Chinese citizens, began circulating on the Internet in late March. It is estimated that this secret new helicopter made its first flight in January. Its official name is still uncertain, although many call it the Z-21.

The most notable thing about the provisionally designated Z-21 is its derivation from the Z-20 utility helicopter.

Andreas Rupprecht, a German expert on Chinese aviation and author of books on PLA aircraft, told ANI, “Now with the first images, it’s almost surprising that we didn’t put together the pieces we’ve known for years about the Z-20 itself. is now a mature system. We have seen several prototypes (sometimes referred to as attack versions) with additional sensors and weapons, and hence a Z-20-based design – using the proven powertrain, transmission, engine and tail. “Does. All the systems paired with a new thin airframe make perfect sense.”

By using Z-20 components, China can accelerate the development of new platforms and also reduce risks. Reusing the Z-20’s tail boom, the new Z-21 has a slim, tandem-seat body with wide-cheeked fairings, similar to the Apache. Like the modernized version of the Z-10, the Z-21’s engine exhaust faces upward to reduce the aircraft’s infrared signature and thus improve its chances against surface-to-air missiles.

Its armament consists of one cannon, possibly of 23 mm calibre, as well as a pair of stub wings, each of which has three weapons stations for rockets and missiles. The scant photographs available so far show that the nose of the Z-21 resembles that of the Russian Mi-28N helicopter. A millimeter-wave radar may eventually appear on the platform, similar to the Longbow radar on the Apache.

One might wonder why the PLA needs another combat helicopter when it already has several hundred Z-19 scout/reconnaissance helicopters and Z-10 combat helicopters in service.

However, none of these platforms provide the level of performance, armor protection and payload capacity that China’s military ultimately wants. It’s possible that the capability for manned-unmanned teaming – for example, using a helicopter to control a drone – will also be part of its future mission set.

With the WZ10 engine, the new aircraft will have better performance relative to the 5.5-ton Z-10 attack helicopter. Indeed, one of the main issues of the Z-10 is its underpowered WZ9 engines which negatively impact its flight performance, armor protection and payload capacity. Particularly in hot and/or high altitude conditions, the Z-10’s performance is unsatisfactory, as Pakistan concluded after testing.

With two 1,790kW WZ10 engines, the Z-21’s high-altitude performance will be boosted, making it better suited for service over the mountainous Indian border. Given that the Z-21 has just begun flying, its entry into service is still some time away.

Some Chinese commentators believe it could appear in the PLA within 2-3 years, but Rupprecht told ANI that this is “doubtful”. For example, he compared it to the naval version of the Z-20.

Although it first flew in 2018 and requires fewer modifications than the Z-21, it has not yet entered service. Using this as a comparison, the German expert said, “In my opinion, something like 5-7 years is too likely.”

That would put the date around 2029-31. The helicopters are a symbol of the PLA’s ongoing modernization, which President Xi Jinping has prioritized since coming to power more than a decade ago.

Over the past 12 years, PLA rotary-winged aviation capability has grown significantly. For example, ten Z-10 helicopters in 2011 increased to 150 by 2021, and seven Z-8 helicopters increased to 111 over the period.

The most recent edition of the Military Balance, published annually by the International Institute of Strategic Studies in the UK, lists the following for PLA ground forces: 300+ attack helicopters (Z-10 and Z-19 types); 208 multirole helicopters (Mi-17 and Z-9); and 398 transport helicopters (111 Z-8 heavy helicopters; 219 Mi-171 and S-70C2 medium helicopters; and 68 H120 and Z-11 light helicopters).

The PLA Navy has approximately 110 helicopters, as well as more than 50 in the PLA Air Force. The Z-20 utility helicopter is a major platform that has spawned several specialized variants. China calls the Z-20 a domestic design, but it is a replica of the American Black Hawk. (ANI)