ladioussupp
Junior Member
Stick of WZ-10
Z-10 thread
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Black Shark
Junior Member
China to donate 3 WZ -10 helicopter gunships to Pakistan for anti-terrorism fight
Pakistan has 35 aging AH-1F helicopters in use currently. Pakistan has repeatedly sought Bell AH-1 SuperCobra attack helicopters from the U.S. to supplement and replace its current AH-1 Cobras.
The U.S. had assured Pakistan that it would receive the latest AH-1Z variant in phases by 2015.Pakistan has lost 3 aircraft in recent years and attempts to acquire the AH-1Z Viper or AH-64 Apache from the United States were rejected, so Pakistan turned to buying other foreign attack helicopters to replace its aging AH-1F fleet.
Possible candidates included the Turkish TAI T-129, the Chinese CAIC WZ-10, and the Russian Mi-35 Hind.In November 2014, Russia approved the sale of Mi-35M helicopters to Pakistan.
Both China and Russia are vying for Pakistan Army aviation contract for attack helicopters.
Pakistan has 35 aging AH-1F helicopters in use currently. Pakistan has repeatedly sought Bell AH-1 SuperCobra attack helicopters from the U.S. to supplement and replace its current AH-1 Cobras.
The U.S. had assured Pakistan that it would receive the latest AH-1Z variant in phases by 2015.Pakistan has lost 3 aircraft in recent years and attempts to acquire the AH-1Z Viper or AH-64 Apache from the United States were rejected, so Pakistan turned to buying other foreign attack helicopters to replace its aging AH-1F fleet.
Possible candidates included the Turkish TAI T-129, the Chinese CAIC WZ-10, and the Russian Mi-35 Hind.In November 2014, Russia approved the sale of Mi-35M helicopters to Pakistan.
Both China and Russia are vying for Pakistan Army aviation contract for attack helicopters.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
The Questions I think that will be the make or break are first what the Pakistani Armed forces see as the real threat. India or the Taliban? If India then the specs list would likely favor Anti Tank and Anti vehicle helicopters like the Z10 and T129.
If the Taliban then that would favor Asymmetric And the classic Hind with it's ability to not just attack but deploy Special forces something the Z10 and T129 can't do.
Black Shark
Junior Member
I guess they want both a multipurpose attack helicopter the Mi-35 since it is also useful for CSAR missions providing armor to an extent no transport helicopter offers but with dedicated weapons for Anti-Tank role and it is cheaper than the others and is a great plattform for various upgrades and can be used as plattform for own upgrades. The other would be Z-10, since this helicopter is not bound to political games due the supply chain and china being a fair partner and so far can't say they have double crossed a country to pressure on them, despite they have such influence on the market. The Z-10 seams like a great plattform and with the current dedication China is working on it and alot of weapons and electronics for it, there is already a great future for it and good amount of technologies for costumers to choose from.
The question is can Pakistan aford both, i don't think so, but i can't really tell now what they would choose, probably a cost factor and would buy more likely Mi-35M and planty more of them with same amount than with others. Depending on how China plays it, they can actually trying to get the deal based on India-Pakistan bad relationship, but who knows.
The question is can Pakistan aford both, i don't think so, but i can't really tell now what they would choose, probably a cost factor and would buy more likely Mi-35M and planty more of them with same amount than with others. Depending on how China plays it, they can actually trying to get the deal based on India-Pakistan bad relationship, but who knows.
Dizasta1
Senior Member
I believe you are looking at this with a rigid logic.
Pakistan Military, in essence, has always has to operate by scaling the limitations that lay in it's path. It has worked for it in the past, with the Soviet-Afghan War and etc.
Since the Hind Gunship is something that Pakistan Military has had past encounters with and had operated some, post Soviet-Afghan War. Call it, spoils of war. They are familiar with the gunship's rugged, raw, brute power. It's ease of handling and maintenance makes it a favorable choice of platform, when it comes to combating the terrorists (TTP).
However, the choices need to be attainable, without having to incur overbearing weight on the exchequer. So Mi-35s are a yes, provided that Pakistan Military can procure them without burning a hole in it's pocket and does not carry the curse of being sanctioned/embargoed.
The WZ-10, is the ideal gunship for Pakistan Military, since it would prove an effective weapon, when it comes to fighting an actual adversary army. It would also be a good response to india's choice of AH-64. Not that the two would ever meet head to head in battle. But in terms of capabilities, WZ-10 would provide similar or equal capabilities, to that of the adversary.
Again, in the case as well, it boils down to financial backing and immunity to sanctions.
Hence, when both gunships are attainable, without the liabilities. I would say that Pakistan Military would go for both the gunships. Even if they are procured in limited numbers .................. at first!
The WZ-10 is much lighter compared to the AH-64. It is closer to an AH-1Z than a AH-64. Which is great for replacing the AH-1 fleet but not taking AH-64s head on.
Black Shark
Junior Member
Even if Pakistan decides to purchase WZ-10, they won't recieve them right away and since the WZ-16 engines are already complete or near finish they would be installed sooner than delivering the birds to Pakistan.
The AH-1Z and AH-64E have only a marginal empty weight difference WZ-10 is around the same empty weight, only need confirmation from China.
I think though in the case of armoured helo vs armoured helo it comes down to who fires first. Also armoured helos are not really designed for hunting each other as the main mission requirement.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
Well these is a Exception to every rule and in this case that exception would be the Russian KA50 series. but that's neither here nor there. The Main Role is the Key and what is that main role for the Pakistani's combined with there available budget. that will be the critical factor in the final choice of Mi35M vs Z10 vs T AH129
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