Pakistan Army Aviation Helicopters (AAC – Army Aviation Corp)
The corps has the responsibility of taking care of aerial military operations along with the configuration among all aviation units. Although AAC is new to the military but they have successfully proved their mettle and are generously awarded for their services. Till date they have received 4 Sitar-e-Jurat, 5 Sitara-e-Basalat and 15 Tamgha-e-Basalat. We will discuss about Pakistan army attack helicopters in detail below.
Significant Services in Combat
Pakistan Army Aviation Helicopters had been actively involved in all the conflicts with India. They also took part in the conflicts in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Mozambique Somalia and Bosnia for the United Nations; and recently in the conflict in North-Western region of Pakistan. Not just conflict, they have aided in peace and rescue missions like 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, cyclone hit Bangladesh etc.
Pakistan Attack Helicopter List
According to some figures, Pakistan Army has over 270 helicopters and several other transformational and utility aircrafts. The contracts have been signed with China. Turkey and Russia to acquire more combat helicopters. Cobra helicopters of Pakistan, make the bulk of attack fleet but they are being replaced gradually as a part of the development plans.
Following is the list of the attack helicopters of Pakistan Army Aviation Corp:
- Z-10 Fierce Thunderbolt: 3 in fleet and around 17 on order from China
- Bell AH-1Z Viper: 15 attack helicopters are on the order list from the US
- Mil MI-35M Hind-E: 4 helicopters are in the order list from Russia
- Bell AH-1F/S Cobra: Around 35 plus Cobra helicopters are in the fleet
- IAR 330: 6 attack helicopters are in the fleet.
- Eurocopter Fennec: Around 20 in number and are used for ‘light’ combat missions and reconnaissance missions.
Pakistan Army Attack Helicopters
Pak Army attack helicopters are part of Pakistan Army Aviation Corps’ AH-1F/S Cobras. It is a fleet of 40 Cobras (as of 2005) capable of offence and defense when and where needed.
In April 2015, Pakistan Army has acquired new attack helicopters from the US; that is, 15 AH-1Zs (these are super cobra models with twin engines) and 1000 AGM-114 Hellfire II. These include “precision strike; air mobility and combat search and rescue; counter-improvised explosive device and survivability; battlefield communications; night operations; border security; and maritime security/counter-narcotics in support of counter-terrorism aims”.
In August 2015, 4 Mi-35s were acquired from Russia. These aircrafts are significant in terms of transportation of troops and not just attack only. These Russian made helicopters are supposed to replace some of the obsolete US made Cobras. These are perfectly suitable for mountainous terrain and can stay operational for longer periods.
The 3 Z-10s from China are also among the list. These Chinese attack helicopter for Pakistan are capable and equipped with modern technologies. The helmets are equipped with a guided system to aid the pilot to identify and engage the target. The sensor systems and protection shields make them ideal for external warfare.
Chinese Attack Helicopter for Pakistan
The Z-10 Thunderbolt attack helicopters were showcased by Pakistan in 2016 at Pakistan Day parade.
China has produced, developed and has been using them since 2012. Although it is a modern state-of-the-art machine but it is facing some under performance issues with the engines. Of course, China is working to improve this glitch. And Pakistan Army has been successfully use the 4 aircrafts in different operations to the fullest of satisfaction. These attack helicopters have strengthened the Aviation corps as they are effective against tanks and strong combatant against the armored columns.
Pakistan air force helicopters list also has IAR 330 helicopters. They are effective in war time military units transportation.
In the list of Pakistan army helicopters pictures you can also see Eurocopter Fennec Pakistan version. It is basically built by Eurocopter Group (now Airbus Helicopters).
Hope this article has given you all the important information about Pakistan helicopter program.
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