China Starts Delivering Z-10ME Attack Helicopters to Pakistan

Pakistan has reportedly begun receiving Z-10ME attack helicopters from China, marking a significant step in Islamabad’s efforts to modernize its aging tactical helicopter fleet. While no official announcements have been made by either government, verified images and videos have surfaced online showing the Chinese-built helicopters painted with Pakistan Army insignia, confirming the delivery.

The new helicopters are expected to replace the decades-old American-made AH-1F Cobras, which have been in service with Pakistan since the 1980s. In an earlier attempt to modernize the fleet, Pakistan secured a deal with the United States in 2015 to acquire AH-1Z Viper helicopters. However, rising diplomatic tensions between Islamabad and Washington caused the deal to stall, creating an opportunity for China to step in with its own offer.

That’s when China's Z-10ME, the export version of its homegrown Z-10 attack helicopter, became a viable alternative for Pakistan. Although rumors and reports about the procurement had been circulating for years, the recent visual evidence suggests that the deal has finally moved past the trial and production phase into active delivery.

The Z-10ME, developed by China’s Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation, is a medium-weight attack helicopter designed for anti-tank missions and limited air-to-air combat. The aircraft is powered by two WZ-9C turboshaft engines, each delivering around 1,600 horsepower. It has a length of 14 meters, a rotor diameter of 13 meters, and can fly at speeds of up to 160 knots (296 km/h).

The helicopter is capable of operating at altitudes as high as 6,400 meters (20,997 feet) and offers a range of 430 nautical miles (796 km). It is armed with a revolving cannon, guided and unguided rockets, multi-role missiles, and even loitering munitions, making it a versatile weapon in both offensive and defensive operations.

Currently, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) operates around 200 Z-10 helicopters, highlighting China’s confidence in the system. The export of this system to Pakistan also represents growing defense ties between Beijing and Islamabad, especially at a time when Western military cooperation with Pakistan appears to be cooling.

While the full number of units Pakistan is acquiring remains undisclosed, the induction of the Z-10ME could significantly enhance its battlefield capabilities, especially in mountainous and rugged terrains, where rotary-wing assets are crucial for tactical advantage.