Chinese PLA conducts first high altitude live fire exercises with Z-10 attack helicopter
According to a video report from CCTV’s military program, the Tibet Military Region recently organized a three-day live-fire exercise on the Tibetan Plateau at an altitude of over 4,400 meters, involving a fleet of Z-10 helicopters.
The exercise included firing various types of live ammunition, such as launching air-to-air missiles aimed at targeting a drone moving at a speed of 85 kilometers per hour.
The Z-10 is an attack helicopter developed by the People’s Republic of China. It is manufactured by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC) in collaboration with the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group. The development of the Z-10 began in the 1990s as part of a project to equip the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) with a modern attack helicopter. The design was heavily influenced by the PLA’s need for a platform capable of attacking armored vehicles, providing close air support, and offering limited anti-aircraft capabilities. The standard armament of the Z-10 includes a 23mm cannon mounted under the nose, pods for unguided rockets, HJ-10 anti-tank guided missiles, and TY-90 air-to-air missiles. Designed to be effective in various combat conditions, the Z-10 is equipped with night vision systems and can operate in adverse environments thanks to its advanced avionics and electronic countermeasure systems. It also features a fire control radar and optical sensors for improved weapon accuracy and targeting assistance. Unlike its Western counterparts, the Z-10’s cockpit is armored to protect the crew from small arms fire.
The Z-10 is often compared to other attack helicopters such as the American AH-64 Apache and the European Eurocopter Tiger. Although considered less sophisticated in terms of avionics technology and engine power compared to its Western counterparts, the Z-10 has a higher service ceiling. For example, the EC665 Tiger, in service with the French Army, struggles to reach a ceiling of 4,000 meters. The Z-10 has been utilized on the Tibetan Plateau at an altitude of 4,400 meters.