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New attack helicopter seen as vital in any PLA operations against Taiwan, India

  • The first images of the aircraft – which is being referred to as the Z-21 – emerged on social media last week
  • Analysts say Beijing saw need for heavier attack helicopter for potential cross-strait or high-altitude operations

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Images of the new attack helicopter have been circulating on social media. Photo: Handout
Amber Wangin BeijingandSeong Hyeon Choiin Hong Kong
A new heavy attack helicopter is expected to play a critical role in any potential People’s Liberation Army operations against Taiwan or India, according to analysts.
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The first images of the new helicopter emerged on Chinese social media platforms including Weibo last week, with observers referring to it as the Z-21.

It appears to share similarities with the Z-20 medium-lift helicopter, though the new aircraft’s fuselage is slimmer. The multirole Z-20 is seen as the Chinese version of the US Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.

With a capacity of 10 tonnes, the Z-20 is heavier than the two Chinese attack helicopters currently in service, the Z-10 and the Z-19.

The new aircraft appears to share similarities with the Z-20 medium-lift helicopter (pictured in a flying display in 2022). Photo: Xinhua via AP
The new aircraft appears to share similarities with the Z-20 medium-lift helicopter (pictured in a flying display in 2022). Photo: Xinhua via AP

The new Chinese aircraft has also been compared with the AH-64 Apache, the US military’s most advanced attack helicopter.

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