can you provide a source to validate your claim?
Rudra is powered by two HAL/Turbomeca Ardiden 1H1 (Shakti) turboshafts with each engine delivering a maximum continuous power of 1,067kW. The operation of each is controlled by a full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) system. The Shakti power plants give the helicopter a maximum continuous speed of 270 kmph. The VNE or never exceed speed of Rudra is 300 kmph. More importantly, Rudra can fly at a maximum altitude of 6 km (20,000 ft) which means it can successfully engage ‘Kargil/Siachen’ type of targets in the Indian context – a capability sorely missed during the 1999 Kargil conflict.
..:: India Strategic ::. Army: Indian Army inducts 'Rudras'into its Air Wing
Actually Rudra is Dhruv Mk IV.Dhruv Mk III is capable of landing in siachen.
here is entire specification and details of Dhruv Mk III operating at 21000 ft with load(600 kg/4 soldiers).
Broadsword: In Siachen, Dhruv proves a world-beater
previous trials..
LIVEFIST: SPECIAL: Dhruv Shakti In Siachen
regarding the z-10 there are 3 in pakistan undergoing testing. and i would guarantee the testing program would include high altitude testing. yes iaf did use mi-17's during the kargill war. which i assume is for transporting troops to inaccessible areas that cant be reached by foot/road.
Not only Mi-17 carried troops,but in the Battle of Tololing,Mi-17s carried out Gunship role.Even though India had Mi-25/35,IAF said these are unable to fight in that altitude.and thats what I highlighted.
i dont know in-depth about the kargil war. but based on the details in the link, the mil-35 were based in pathakot, which is near kashmir but not near kargil. but where as srinagar and leh is near kargil and were used and mil-17 were used stationed and used. also srinagar based mig-21's which were used in the kargil war and some were lost as well as mil-17's. to anza manpads.
Scramble
Actually No.Read IAF's statement.And It is not Anza,rather one Mi-17 was lost when it took 3 Stinger hits while performing Gunship role.
Here are details...
A request was also made for Mi-25/35 gunships to attack the points occupied by the intruders. This request was made with increased urgency again on May 10. It was then explained that these gunships had not, till then, crossed the Zojila Pass due to their weight/altitude restrictions (Well after the Kargil Ops, the IAF successfully flew a stripped down Mi-35 across the Zojila Pass during winter when temperature and air density conditions are favourable, and carried out firing practice).
Zozila Pass' Altitude is merely 3528 m.
Most Helos' Flight Ceiling is based on Clean mode(Where they either carry little or no payload at all).Also,there are various kind of restrictions regarding Temparature,Air density etc.Thats I wanted to highlight.There is no proof Z-10 has gone through altitudes and conditions like Leh,forget about Siachen.Let them test first.
and another thing,I can't post the link of the quote due to forum rules.Please search "Kargil-10 years after" in Google.You can get some wonderful details about Air Operations in Kargil War.
Pakistani lost around 450 on its side
Pakistan never officially stated a figure about Casualties.It started as couple of dozen,then became couple of hundreds,and then couple of thousands.Nawaz Shariff himself stated that Pakistan lost "more than 4000 soldiers" in Kargil,I think he excluded the numbers of "Mercenaries/Terrorists" operating with Pakistan Army.
Indian estimate is Pakistan lost 4000-6000 soldiers in Kargil.Nawaz's statement only confirmed our "Estimate".
'Over 4,000 Pakistanis died in Kargil conflict'