China’s First Heavy Attack Helicopter Makes Debut in Air Assault Drill Near Taiwan

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army has for the first time deployed its new Z-20T Assault Eagle attack helicopter to participate in major exercises, marking a major turning point in the modernisation of Chinese close air support capabilities. This followed the aircraft’s first public appearance during a military parade on September 3, and its subsquent debut in flight demonstrations at the 7th China Helicopter Exposition in Tianjin in October. The exercises were conducted by an Army aviation brigade of the 71st Group Army in eastern Fujian province, in close proximity to the Taiwan Strait, and showcased its low-altitude penetration, semi-hover “single-wheel” landings, and rapid troop deployment capabilities under realistic field conditions. The exercises provided rare insight into how helicopters may be utilised under combat conditions, including in a potential cross-straits war that pits the mainland’s People’s Liberation Army against the rival Republic of China Armed Forces based on Taiwan. The two rival Chinese governments have been technically in a state of civil war for over 70 years.

Previously elaborating on the Z-20T’s role, deputy chief designer at the China Helicopter Research and Development Institute Zhu Minfeng said it was designed for “assault transport and airlift operations in mountainous, forested, and urban areas,” and is able to “strike high-value enemy targets, counter both ground and aerial threats in plain and plateau regions, and provide fire support for ground forces.” The aircraft’s newly unveiled semi-hover, single-wheel landing technique allows it to insert infantry in landing zones that are too small or uneven for a full set-down, including in urban streets, thus significantly reducing the requirement for flat ground during assaults. This also shortens the exposure time at landing zones, allows the aircraft to depart immediately after disembarkation which can reduce vulnerability.

Preceding the Z-20’s entry into service, only Russia and the United States had produced similarly large attack helicopters, the former the Mi-24, Mi-28, Mi-35, Ka-50 and Ka-52, and the latter the AH-64 Apache. The aircraft was developed as a helicopter gunship with a significant personnel transport capability, complementing the development of the lighter Z-10 dedicated attack helicopter. As observed by Zhu Minfeng: “If the mission solely involves attack tasks, the Z-10 attack helicopter is the optimal choice… If there is a need to conduct airlift operations and troop transport in addition to attack tasks, the Z-20T, which combines transport capacity with air-to Com-ground capabilities, can be employed.” The aircraft may potentially be used to support rapid vertical insertions behind beachheads to secure critical rear positions, or to insert special forces to neutralise key adversary targets such as Sky Bow missile batteries from the ground.