ISLAMABAD – Pakistan looks set to turn to China for its attack helicopterreplacement needs after US embargoes halted sales of rival Bell and TurkishAerospace products.
Islamabad had in 2015 ordered 12 Bell AH-1Zs under the USA’s ForeignMilitary Sales process and then followed that in 2018 with a deal for 30Turkish Aerospace T129s worth $1.5 billion.
But the AH-1Z sale has been on hold since US President Donald Trump cutsecurity funding to Pakistan, and export sanctions related to the US-builtLHTEC T800 engines which power the T129 has led to the suspension of thatcontract, Flight Global has reported.
This impasse, and a pressing need to retire its fleet of 48 Bell AH-1Fs, isnow pushing Islamabad to consider alternatives, Major General Syed NajeebAhmed, commander, army aviation, told Defence IQ’s International MilitaryHelicopter conference in London on 26 February.
“We are looking at other options. One of them is in China in the shape ofthe new attack helicopter they have created called the Z-10ME,” hesays. “In case the first two options do not materialise this third optionwill be considered.”
Pakistan had previously evaluated an earlier version of the CAIC Z-10, butAhmed says the latest iteration has improved weapons and systems.
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Ahmed is extremely doubtful that the AH-1Z deal can be resurrected, andalthough Turkish Aerospace is developing an indigenous replacement enginefor the T129, he is not confident that this will be ready in time.
In fact, Pakistan has set a deadline of July this year for a finaldecision, Ahmed says.
The relative urgency is driven by India’s capability increases, as NewDelhi grows its fleet of Boeing AH-64E Apaches.
“The Cobras are no match for the Apaches that the Indians are getting,” hesays. “We definitely want to match that [capability].
