Pakistan Plans Chinese Z-10ME Helicopter Fleet Expansion with Turkish Weapons to Counter India's Massive LCH Prachand Acquisition

Pakistan is reportedly planning a significant expansion of its attack helicopter fleet by acquiring more Z-10ME helicopters from China, a move seen as a direct response to India's substantial procurement of its domestically produced Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand.

In a notable development, Pakistan is also exploring options for assembling the Chinese helicopters locally and potentially equipping them with advanced Turkish weapon systems to enhance their combat effectiveness.

India's LCH Prachand, which translates to "Fierce," is a multi-role attack helicopter developed by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is specifically designed to operate effectively in the high-altitude environments characterising India's borders.

In June 2024, India's Ministry of Defence initiated the process to acquire 156 Prachand units – 90 for the Indian Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force. This major defence deal, valued at Rs 62,000 Cr (approximately US$6.1 billion), was approved by India's CCS on 28 March 2025.

The Prachand's capability to operate above 5,000 meters and carry a mix of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles makes it a potent asset, especially in challenging terrains like Ladakh and the Siachen Glacier.

Faced with this enhancement in India's aerial firepower, Pakistan is strengthening its military ties with China to potentially increase its fleet of Z-10ME attack helicopters.

The Z-10ME is an export-oriented version of the Chinese Z-10, featuring upgrades such as a more powerful engine (WZ-9G), measures to reduce its heat signature, and improved defensive systems.

Initial deliveries of the Z-10ME to Pakistan are reportedly expected within 2025. This decision follows previous setbacks in Pakistan's attempts to acquire attack helicopters from other sources, including the American AH-1Z Viper and Turkey's T129 ATAK, which were hindered by export restrictions and geopolitical factors.

Beyond simply purchasing the helicopters, Pakistan is reportedly discussing the possibility of establishing a domestic assembly line for the Z-10ME with China.

Such an arrangement would represent a major step towards greater self-sufficiency in Pakistan's defence industry, potentially reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and cultivating local technical skills. Local assembly could also facilitate tailoring the helicopters to meet the specific operational requirements of the Pakistan Army, particularly along the Line of Control (LoC) and for counter-insurgency operations.

Furthermore, Pakistan is considering a potential three-way collaboration involving Turkey to integrate sophisticated Turkish weaponry onto the Z-10ME platform.

Despite the earlier cancellation of a deal for Pakistan to buy Turkish T129 helicopters (due to the US withholding export licenses for its engines), Turkey possesses significant expertise in helicopter subsystems, avionics, and munitions.

Integrating Turkish systems, such as UMTAS anti-tank missiles, Cirit laser-guided rockets, or advanced avionics, could substantially increase the Z-10ME's combat power and survivability.

This strategic direction highlights Pakistan's strengthening defence relationships with China and Turkey, providing alternatives to Western military hardware often subject to procurement challenges.

While perhaps not as extensively combat-proven as helicopters like the US Apache, the Z-10ME offers a capable platform with a reported combat range of 800 km and a weapon payload capacity of about 1,500 kg.

Equipping it with Turkish technology could enhance its ability to counter platforms like the Prachand, which boasts a 700 km range and exceptional high-altitude performance demonstrated by landings at nearly 15,800 feet.

For Pakistan, acquiring and potentially building the Z-10ME serves to maintain a credible military deterrent. India's planned induction of 156 Prachand helicopters will significantly augment its forces along its western and northern borders.

By increasing its Z-10ME inventory, potentially to over 30 units according to some reports (though official numbers are unconfirmed), Pakistan aims to counterbalance this development.

Success in local assembly and system integration could also open avenues for Pakistan to market customized Z-10MEs internationally in the future, mirroring India's own aspirations to export the Prachand helicopter.

 

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[Mc Addy]

Send drones to kill choppers

 

[Anonymus]

We should push Pakistan into an arms race. It will put more strain on their crumbling economy, just like what the US did to the USSR, and also put India into a defensive approach towards China too.

 

[VKP]

Which country in its right senses will transfer technology in any way to Pakistan.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Develop a lighter missile with similar range as NASM SR. It will be useful to take out enemy artillery units from safe distance.

 

[kumar]

It will be interesting to see how NATO and the US react to its sensor/weapon lineage integration with Chinese platforms where crucial and sensitive data needs to be shared with the OEM for integration.

 

[Preet]

They don't procure or buy, they beg! Every time India gets new weapons, Pakistan goes like, "China, China, please put some weapons in the begging bowl."

 

[Mc Addy]

Pakistan Airforce don't have guts to take us heads on , one bomb they will drop here and Pakistan airfields will turn to craters is sure . But we need to modernize now , get up to date with china and give it a scare as even in 1962 Chinese air force never attacked us in any way, so now also they won't as once they start such act then they will be also in a pincer from US ,China got many enemies .But yes, we must get stealth, drones and second strike capabilities to be position always as a credible military power.power means peace .

 

[Shafted mohammed]

India should spend big now, as Pakistan, in order to challenge its inferiority complex, would be forced to buy lots of military hardware and so, sooner, it would become bankrupt.

 

[Rafiq Quadri]

We should push Pakistan into an arms race. It will put more strain on their crumbling economy, just like what the US did to the USSR, and also put India into a defensive approach towards China too.

What you suggest, that game is China already playing with us!

 

[Predator]

We should push Pakistan into an arms race. It will put more strain on their crumbling economy, just like what the US did to the USSR, and also put India into a defensive approach towards China too.

They mainly import Chinese systems, so it won't affect the economy too much because China provides soft loans to them, and many times those loans are forgiven.

 

[Rajendra Asthana]

They mainly import Chinese systems, so it won't affect the economy too much because China provides soft loans to them, and many times those loans are forgiven.

Chinese never forgive anything, Pakistan purchased Gwadar from Oman in 1956, the Chinese would someday take over and South Balochistan from Pakistan on a perpetual lease.

 

[Anonymus]

They mainly import Chinese systems, so it won't affect the economy too much because China provides soft loans to them, and many times those loans are forgiven.

Chinese don't forgive their loans, they in return take strategically important assets from that country. In that way, it benefits India in the long term too, by creating internal problems in that country.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s better to let them use a cheap piece of junk that has major technology, reliability and weapons issues. Also I’m surprised

India should start by buying the helicopters and to increase the amount of indigenous content as quickly as possible. After this order is completed then they should place another repeat order for 156 helicopters but with technology and capability’s upgrades.

 

[Kira]

We should push Pakistan into an arms race. It will put more strain on their crumbling economy, just like what the US did to the USSR, and also put India into a defensive approach towards China too.

I mean, that is a viable strategy only if Pakistan was alone in a strategic arms race with India, like the USSR was with the US and Western Europe, which ultimately bankrupted the Soviets.

But since Pakistan is backed up by generous funds from the PRC and previously from the US to counter India, I don't think that will be an issue for them.

They can always survive and maintain a viable threat to India without even a growing economy.

PS - Think of the kind of threat that North Korea represents to South Korea and even the US, with an economy that is about 40 times smaller than that of South Korea. A country need not have a good economy to pose a strategic threat.

 

[Anonymus]

What you suggest, that game is China already playing with us!

Do you really think India is even trying to participate in games with China? If that is so, India by now would have stealth jets, nuclear attack subs, more AC, the MRFA deal would have been concluded by now, the P75I deal would have been concluded by now, etc.

 

[Atharva Khalatkar]

It is a weird obsession with India. They got weapons on discount, and they got the discount after licking the boots of the Chinese.

 

[Anonymus]

I mean, that is a viable strategy only if Pakistan was alone in a strategic arms race with India, like the USSR was with the US and Western Europe, which ultimately bankrupted the Soviets.

But since Pakistan is backed up by generous funds from the PRC and previously from the US to counter India, I don't think that will be an issue for them.

They can always survive and maintain a viable threat to India without even a growing economy.

PS - Think of the kind of threat that North Korea represents to South Korea and even the US, with an economy that is about 40 times smaller than that of South Korea. A country need not have a good economy to pose a strategic threat.

See, no funds are freely given. PRC gives loans, and loans have to be returned. America was giving aid to fund the Afghan war. After America moved out from Afghanistan, their funds to Pakistan have been considerably reduced. Their economic conditions can tell everything to you. Practically, now Pakistan is alone in the South Asian arms race. The best part is Pakistan depends highly on imports, while India is manufacturing, unlike the USA and USSR, which were both having defence manufacturing.

 

[Bhishma]

Pakistan is messed up. They are playing a double game with China. The US will never allow Gwadar. They took the money from China for Gwadar. Now the US is forcing them to sabotage Gwadar.

For India, Gwadar does not matter. During war, we can easily disable them. For the US, it is a very big deal. The US owns two oceans - Pacific and Atlantic. India is number one in the Indian Ocean. Number two is the USA. Through Diego Garcia, they can threaten any country in the IOR (except India). If China is there, then China will be the number two in the Indian Ocean. As they are a lot closer to areas of interest, with direct land connection to their mainland. This is a massive threat to American hegemony. Once they establish Gwadar, they will start meddling in the oil trade and Middle Eastern affairs.

Pakistan's top leadership is completely owned by the West. They have all their assets in the West. So they have orchestrated this Balochistan drama to mess up Gwadar. Eat popcorn and watch the unfolding drama.

 

[Kira]

Chinese don't forgive their loans, they in return take strategically important assets from that country. In that way, it benefits India in the long term too, by creating internal problems in that country.

This is a somewhat valid point, as seen in Balochistan currently, but still that means that Pakistan's threat itself to India would not necessarily diminish over time.

 

[Anonymus]

This is a somewhat valid point, as seen in Balochistan currently, but still that means that Pakistan's threat itself to India would not necessarily diminish over time.

True but putting strain on there economy will eventually lead to there down fall or slow down in there growth

 

[Imaxxx]

Chinese don't forgive their loans, they in return take strategically important assets from that country. In that way, it benefits India in the long term too, by creating internal problems in that country.

Which means we will have PA and PN with permanent bases on our western doorstep

 

[Overvoid]

Do you really think India is even trying to participate in games with China? If that is so, India by now would have stealth jets, nuclear attack subs, more AC, the MRFA deal would have been concluded by now, the P75I deal would have been concluded by now, etc.

That would crumble our economy more. China is focusing on the US for now