In the pursuit of gaining a strategic advantage over all of its competitors, China has unveiled the world’s most advanced military attack helicopter, the Z-10. The helicopter features some of the most advanced artificial intelligence (AI), recognition, and surveillance systems, surpassing those of the American AH-64E Apache. It is a tall claim, since the Apache has been a veritable attack helicopter that has served with NATO for years. While the Z-10 might be a powerful helicopter with advanced avionics, it still lags behind the Apache in several areas.
The Z-10 Helicopter
The helicopter has been developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries. It has been under development for a considerable amount of time and has spawned different variants across multiple generations. The first Z-series helicopter took flight in 2003 and has been in service since 2010. Recent upgrades include the Z-10ME version, which was especially built for export and was later supplied to Pakistan.
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Key Features of the Z-10
Engine and Performance – The all-new versions have been updated with WZ-9G or WZ-16 engines, which are better suited for high-altitude terrain such as Tibet or the Karakoram. It is more agile and does not suffer from significant power loss.
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Weapons – The new version of the helicopter now has a 23 mm or a 30 mm chain gun, anti-tank missiles, rockets, and air-to-air missiles. It can easily attack tanks, infantry, and enemy helicopters. The new helicopters will have helmet-mounted sights, millimetre-wave radar, and electro-optical systems, allowing them to operate day and night without any issues.
To ensure that the helicopter does not get intercepted by satellites, it has been equipped with infrared suppression, additional armour, and jamming systems.
| Feature | AH-64 Apache | Z-10 / Z-10ME |
|---|---|---|
| Radar | Longbow radar capable of tracking over 250 targets simultaneously | No equivalent Longbow-type radar confirmed |
| Weapons | Hellfire missiles | Missile capability present, but less combat-proven |
| Combat Experience | Extensive real-world combat experience | Limited combat experience |
| Sensor Fusion & Networking | Advanced sensor fusion and strong battlefield networking | Improved avionics, but sensor fusion less proven |
| High-Altitude Performance | Good, but limited compared to Z-10 | Better performance at high altitudes |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| Range | Approx. 476 km | Reported up to 800 km (as per some reports) |
| Automation / AI | Modern automation systems | Advanced avionics claimed, but no official proof of advanced AI |
New Technology or War-Proven Credibility
Experts say that the Z-10 is good, but does not have the war-proven history of the Apache. Pakistan has purchased the Z-10ME, while India has recently acquired the Apache. To ensure that the Z-10 does not lose its edge against the competition, it has been constantly upgraded with new technologies. While Chinese media hails its superiority, experts still believe the Apache remains ahead of the Z-10.