Chinese Military Aviation
More Helicopters
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It is reportedly that China is seeking a dozen Ka-27 ASW helicopters to equip the two Soveremenny class DDG ordered from Russia and Luhu class DDG built in the future.
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Mi-17/171 Hip
Other types of helicopter in service with PLA army
aviation (LH) include at least 28 Russian Mi-17s for troop
transportation. Here a Mi-17 is unloading ammunition for a group of
T-69 MBTs. Initially, these Mi-17s had no armament, but latest exercise image suggests some of them, either
locally modified or newly bought from Russia, have had external pylons
installed for carrying up to six bombs, fuel tanks, or rocket launchers.
They were first purchased in 1990 following the refusal of the US
government to sell more S-70C Black Hawks. Since then an unknown
number of improved Mi-171s have been imported from Russia as well.
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SA-342 Gazalle
8 SA-342
anti-tank helicopters are also in service with PLA army as its first
generation attack helicopter. Fitted with an optical sight on top of the
cockpit, it is able to launch its 4 HJ-8 ATMs (range 3km, armor
penetration 600mm) under the daylight. Nevertheless, these Gazalles
provided PLA army valuable experience of anti-tank operation by
helicopter.
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S-70C Black Hawk
24 Sikorsky S-70Cs
were bought in mid 80's by the army for troop transportation (some have
been lost since then). Here an S-70Cs was lifting the reentry
capsule of a "technology experimental satellite" (probably a cover for the
military photo-reconnaissance satellite), which orbits the earth 170-300km
above the ground for 7-14 days. However due to the shortage of spare parts
caused by the US embargo, these Black Hawks are being replaced by
Mi-17s.
|
|
Other types of helicopter in service with PLA army
aviation (LH) include at least 28 Russian Mi-17s for troop
transportation. Here a Mi-17 is unloading ammunition for a group of
T-69 MBTs. Initially, these Mi-17s had no armament, but latest exercise image suggests some of them, either
locally modified or newly bought from Russia, have had external pylons
installed for carrying up to six bombs, fuel tanks, or rocket launchers.
They were first purchased in 1990 following the refusal of the US
government to sell more S-70C Black Hawks. Since then an unknown
number of improved Mi-171s have been imported from Russia as well.
8 SA-342
anti-tank helicopters are also in service with PLA army as its first
generation attack helicopter. Fitted with an optical sight on top of the
cockpit, it is able to launch its 4 HJ-8 ATMs (range 3km, armor
penetration 600mm) under the daylight. Nevertheless, these Gazalles
provided PLA army valuable experience of anti-tank operation by
helicopter.
24 Sikorsky S-70Cs
were bought in mid 80's by the army for troop transportation (some have
been lost since then). Here an S-70Cs was lifting the reentry
capsule of a "technology experimental satellite" (probably a cover for the
military photo-reconnaissance satellite), which orbits the earth 170-300km
above the ground for 7-14 days. However due to the shortage of spare parts
caused by the US embargo, these Black Hawks are being replaced by
Mi-17s.