CAIC Z-10

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Attack Helicopter

CAIC Z-10

China’s first indigenous dedicated attack helicopter

The Z-10, also written WZ-10, is a tandem two-seat attack helicopter designed by China’s 602 Institute and built by Changhe Aircraft Industries under AVIC. China’s first dedicated, indigenously developed gunship, it serves with the PLA and, as the Z-10ME, with the Pakistan Army.

China|Changhe Aircraft Industries (AVIC)
300 km/hMax Speed800 kmRange2Crew23 mmMain Gun7,200 kgMax Takeoff WeightIn ProductionStatus

Overview

The Z-10 first flew on 29 April 2003, and Russia’s Kamov bureau is widely reported to have helped with early design work in the 1990s. It entered PLA service around 2009–2010. Early aircraft used Canadian PT6C engines, but production machines use the Chinese WZ-9, and the fleet was reportedly re-engined with the WZ-9C from around 2020. A 23 mm chin cannon and four hardpoints carry up to 16 HJ-10 or AKD-10 anti-tank missiles, TY-90 air-to-air missiles and rockets.

IISS lists about 208 Z-10s in Chinese service, mostly with PLA Army Aviation plus eight Z-10Ks with the airborne corps. Pakistan tested the Z-10 in 2015 and then ordered Turkish T129 ATAKs, but a US engine export licence blocked that deal and Pakistan chose the Z-10ME instead, formally inducting it on 2 August 2025. With a maximum take-off weight of about 7.2 t, it is lighter than the AH-64 Apache. It has no confirmed combat use.

CAIC Z-10
Photo: Shimin Gu / Wikimedia Commons, GFDL 1.2

Key Specifications

ManufacturerChanghe Aircraft Industries (AVIC)
CountryChina
First Flight2003
Entered Service2009
StatusIn Production
Crew2
Length14.15 m
Rotor Diameter12–13 m
Height3.85 m
Max Takeoff Weight7,200 kg
Engine2× WZ-9 / WZ-9C
Power2× 1,600 shp
Max Speed300 km/h
Cruise Speed230–270 km/h
Range800 km
Service Ceiling6,400 m
Main Gun23 mm
Hardpoints4

Variants

Z-10

Baseline PLA Army Aviation attack helicopter, reportedly re-engined with WZ-9C turboshafts.

Z-10K

Version flown by the PLA Air Force Airborne Corps, with about eight in service.

Z-10ME

Export version with improved avionics, sand filters and more ammunition, inducted by Pakistan Army Aviation in 2025.

Operators

ChinaPakistan

Frequently Asked Questions

Z-10 vs Apache: which is better?

The AH-64 Apache is generally regarded as more capable and is combat-proven. The Z-10 weighs about 7 t against roughly 10 t for the Apache, sits closer to the T129 ATAK and Tiger class, and has no confirmed combat use.

Does Pakistan have the Z-10?

Yes. Pakistan Army Aviation formally inducted the Z-10ME on 2 August 2025 at Multan Garrison, with first deliveries reportedly made in 2023. The exact number of helicopters has not been officially disclosed.

Z-10 vs T129 ATAK: what is the difference?

Both are tandem two-seat attack helicopters in a similar weight class, but the T129 ATAK is Turkish and the Z-10 Chinese. Pakistan chose the Z-10ME after a US engine export licence blocked its order for 30 T129s.

How many Z-10 does China have?

China has about 208 Z-10 attack helicopters, according to IISS’s Military Balance 2023. Around 200 serve with PLA Army Aviation and eight Z-10Ks with the PLA Air Force Airborne Corps; no official figure is published.

How fast is the Z-10 helicopter?

The Z-10 has a maximum speed of about 300 km/h and cruises at 230–270 km/h. Its range is about 800 km, rising to around 1,120 km in ferry configuration, with a ceiling of about 6,400 m.

How much does a Z-10 cost?

China has not disclosed the Z-10’s unit price, and no reliable public figure exists. The financial terms of Pakistan’s Z-10ME purchase have not been officially published either.