Pakistan reportedly completed test mission on China's Z-10 attack helicopter

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World Aviation Defense & Security News - Pakistan
 
 
Pakistan reportedly completed test mission on China's Z-10 attack helicopter
 
The first Z-10 attack helicopter provided by China to Pakistan has completed its test mission over Rawalpindi, according to unconfirmed reports. The development was posted by micro bloggers in the New York based Chinese language website, Douwei News, said today April 7 Indian website The Times of India.
     
The first Z-10 attack helicopter provided by China to Pakistan has completed its test mission over Rawalpindi, according to unconfirmed reports. The development was posted by micro bloggers in the New York based Chinese language website, Douwei News, said today April 7 Indian website The Times of India.
CAIC Z-10/WZ-10 " Fierce Thunderbolt" attack helicopter
     
The move comes soon after Pakistan launched its Shaheen 3 IRBM ballistic missile last month. Its technology is believed to have been supplied by China because "Pakistan does not have the industrial infrastructure to do it themselves" a military website said.

"China was the most likely donor and China would do this largely because Pakistani ballistic missiles aimed at India make Indian anti-missile defenses less effective against Chinese ballistic missiles," the US website, Strategy Page, said.

Pakistan is believed to have chosen China's Z-10 after considering another next-generation attack helicopter, Turkey's A-129, as it wants to replace its obsolete AH-1S Cobras purchased from the United States in the 1980s.

There have also been unconfirmed reports that Pakistan had placed an order for Mi-35 heavy assault gunship helicopters from Moscow. The Mi-35 may be along with China's Z-10 in real combat environment, reports said. But they have not been confirmed by any government agency.

The Z-10 helicopter has a firing range of four kilometers which also makes it capable of staying out of the target range of the enemy's ground forces. It is also expected to enhance Pakistan's anti-terrorism capabilities.

"With India looming as a rival and potentially an enemy, it is very likely that Pakistan will operate a Chinese attack helicopter in the future," the Taiwan based Want China Times website said.

Pakistan had withheld plans to purchase Z-10s after the United States provided it with AH-1F variant of the Cobra helicopters in 2007.

Pakistan has still hinted at some interest towards that A-129 despite favoring the Z-10, the website added.

However, the US State Department announced today it has approved the delivery of 15 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters to Pakistan, in a FMS which could end acquisition of Chinese-made Z-10 helicopters.

(Source: The Times of India)