Whither Now? The Attack Helicopter Problem for PA

[YeBeWarned]

any update of AH-Z1 ? @DESERT FIGHTER @Dazzler

 

[Arsalan 345]

India is buidling its own combat helicopters and assembling American ones. That was I guess the part you thought "BS".

I guess then you have to wait for a WZ10 improvement, which is open to when that will happen. Turkish ones now seem remote given US engines. One could simply buy Super Tucanos, but they aren't too great in the role and cost about 10-12 million USD per piece.

Another option is the Eurocopter Tiger. I hear Australia is selling its lot prematurely.

Yet another solution could be to take the Hurkus or the K-8 and up-engine and up-armour them. A lengthened fuselage would provide more fuel.

If helicopter is what it must be, maybe the Russians would be willing to sell some of theirs, particularly as payback to India for buying American.

Here is what India seems to have on order:

22-39 Apache
65+114 LCH
38 Rudra

That's a very large number of armed helicopters. Would be devastating if not checked.

Must have missed the AH-1Z delivery news. Are they delivered?

india have lots of money my friend.they already wasted lots of money and still wasting on tejas.we don't compare ourselves with indians.our standards are different.our policy is not attak but to defend first.shoulder fired missies are already in large numbers.yes we want attack helicopters but we aren't rushing for a deal.we will select hardware based on situation.we don't have money to waste.india have lots of things that are very costly.they will soon have rafale.we can't compete with them on every front but we are working well to make our own airspace safe.jf-17 block 3 wil help us.we are making almost 12 to 16 jf-17 per year.new jf-17 block 3 will take time.we need production facilities and we are working for it.very soon you will see more chinese pakistani friendship examples.we are basically learning things from chinese.hardware design and integration is very difficult but slowly we will learn.i believe bangladesh should also start their own jet program.you can do this.

 

[SSGcommandoPAK]

Pakistan is covered in the helicopter department. I was skeptical as well but despite the US huff and puff, behind the scenes all is fine, AH-1Zs deliveries have occurred and there is a followup order for a total strength of 24.

T-129 wont be an issue in terms of engines, even if worst case occurs Turkey is working on local alternative. T-129 is coming with TOT and PAC will be making parts for other T-129 customers, so it will give a excellent starting to Pakistan's local helicopter manufacturing expertise.

Z-10 is heavier than the rest which hampers high altitude performance. It was designed with heavy anti armor role. Pakistan on the other hand needs to fight militants on high altitude terrain so didn't meet its needs. Could still be part of PA inventory in future.

PAA pilots are highly impressed with the upgraded Z-10 which China recently upgraded specially for the PAA.

 

[GriffinsRule]

If possible plz attach the complete article and magazine name issue number ....

The snipet was from Aviation News Feb 2018 issue. The article, "BELL AH-1Z VIPER ,STRIKING WITH FORCE" by Tom Kaminski, is about the helicopter itself and not Pakistan. That was really the only relevant part to this discussion.