Bangladesh Navy set to buy Z-9C ASW helicopters
The Bangladesh Navy is procuring two Z-9C is the naval helicopter developed by the Harbin Aircraft Manufacture Co. (HAMC) for shipborne anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and search and rescue (SAR) missions. It is based upon the Z-9B air frame, which is a copy of the Eurocopter AS365N Dauphin II. The Bangladesh Army already operates two Eurocopter AS365N3+ utility helicopters.
The Z-9C is equipped with KLC-1 X-band surface search radar, which has a maximum detection range of 92 km against small targets and 118 km against medium sized surface vessels such as corvettes or frigates.
ASW gear aboard the Z-9C are a Type 605 (Chinese copy of AN/AQS-13) dipping sonar, 12 passive sonobuoys, four active sonobuoys, a temperature buoy and a maritime environment buoy. The radio receiver on the helicopter is capable of receiving sonobuoy signals at 10 km range when flying at 120 km/h.
For undertaking search and rescue missions the Z-9C helicopter is fitted with a 250 kg capacity hoist winch and a scoop fitted externally above the starboard side cabin door, one FLIR unit and a search light.
The Z-9C can be armed with ET52 anti-submarine torpedoes, which are already in service with the Bangladesh Navy warships. The ET52 has a maximum range of 9.5 km using active/passive acoustic homing.
It is still unclear if the Bangladesh Navy will exercise the option to carry two Hongdu TL-10 lightweight anti-ship missiles under the two external pylons though the missiles have a maximum range of 15 km using active-radar homing. The warhead is 30kg and flying speed is Mach 0.85.
The Z-9C is powered by two 550kW (739hp) Wozhou-8A (WZ-8A) turboshafts (Turbomeca Arriel-IC1 copy), which are produced by SAEC. The fuel capacity is 1,140 litre, with option for a 400 litre ferry tank.
The Bangladesh Navy is expanding its naval aviation capabilities as per Vision 2030 armed forces modernisation plan. The plan includes purchase of submarines, frigates, corvettes, patrol ships, minesweepers, auxiliary ships, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft. The upgrade of existing naval platforms with sea skimming anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles and torpedoes are also part of the plan.
Bangladesh Navy set to buy Z-9C ASW helicopters - Military Forces of Asia
The Bangladesh Navy is procuring two Z-9C is the naval helicopter developed by the Harbin Aircraft Manufacture Co. (HAMC) for shipborne anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and search and rescue (SAR) missions. It is based upon the Z-9B air frame, which is a copy of the Eurocopter AS365N Dauphin II. The Bangladesh Army already operates two Eurocopter AS365N3+ utility helicopters.
The Z-9C is equipped with KLC-1 X-band surface search radar, which has a maximum detection range of 92 km against small targets and 118 km against medium sized surface vessels such as corvettes or frigates.
ASW gear aboard the Z-9C are a Type 605 (Chinese copy of AN/AQS-13) dipping sonar, 12 passive sonobuoys, four active sonobuoys, a temperature buoy and a maritime environment buoy. The radio receiver on the helicopter is capable of receiving sonobuoy signals at 10 km range when flying at 120 km/h.
For undertaking search and rescue missions the Z-9C helicopter is fitted with a 250 kg capacity hoist winch and a scoop fitted externally above the starboard side cabin door, one FLIR unit and a search light.
The Z-9C can be armed with ET52 anti-submarine torpedoes, which are already in service with the Bangladesh Navy warships. The ET52 has a maximum range of 9.5 km using active/passive acoustic homing.
It is still unclear if the Bangladesh Navy will exercise the option to carry two Hongdu TL-10 lightweight anti-ship missiles under the two external pylons though the missiles have a maximum range of 15 km using active-radar homing. The warhead is 30kg and flying speed is Mach 0.85.
The Z-9C is powered by two 550kW (739hp) Wozhou-8A (WZ-8A) turboshafts (Turbomeca Arriel-IC1 copy), which are produced by SAEC. The fuel capacity is 1,140 litre, with option for a 400 litre ferry tank.
The Bangladesh Navy is expanding its naval aviation capabilities as per Vision 2030 armed forces modernisation plan. The plan includes purchase of submarines, frigates, corvettes, patrol ships, minesweepers, auxiliary ships, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft. The upgrade of existing naval platforms with sea skimming anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles and torpedoes are also part of the plan.
Bangladesh Navy set to buy Z-9C ASW helicopters - Military Forces of Asia
