I

Chinese Army Aviation - Aircraft and Units

\ Andreas Rupprecht

,
,c""rM'iJ
~~

HARPIA
I PUBLISHING +
MODERN CHINESE WARPLANES
Chinese Army Aviation - Aircraft and Units

Andreas Rupprecht
MODERN CHINESE WARPLANES, Chinese Army Aviation - Aircraft and Units

Andreas Rupprecht
 00
Contents

Introduction ............................................... ..................... .... .................................... ........... 6

Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................... 7

Abbreviations ................................................................ ................. ........... .......... ............... 8

Chapter 1: History and future of Chinese Army Aviation ........................................... 11

Chapter 2: Army Aviation aircraft markings and serial number system .................. 21

Chapter 3: Army Aviation aircraft, helicopters and UAVs .......................................... 25

Chapter 4: Army Aviation armament, weapons and stores ........................................ 49

Chapter 5: PLA Army Aviation training syllabus ......................................................... 53

Chapter 6: PLA Army Aviation order of battle 2019 .. .................................................. 57

Eastern Theater Command ......................................................................... 64

Southern Theater Command .......... .................. .......................................... 68

Western Theater Command ........................................................................ 72

Northern Theater Command ................................................ ....................... 78

Central Theater Command .......................................................................... 82

Chapter 7: Paramilitary assets ....................................................................................... 87

 Chinese Army Avia ti on
Introduction
When it was published in 2012, Modern Chinese Warplanes aimed to set new stand-
ards as a uniquely compact yet comprehensive directory of modem Chinese air power,
combining high-quality illustrations and in-depth analysis. Its coverage was limited to
the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) - China's major air arm - and to a
lesser extent, the People's Liberation Army Naval Aviation.
In the meantime, almost seven years later, the fascination that Chinese military
aviation holds for the analyst and enthusiast has grown considerably. Bearing in mind
the plethora of new types, systems and weapons that have been revealed, as well as
the major structural and conceptional changes, the time was light for a fully revised
edition. However, due to the increasing importance of the navy and its air arm, it
was decided to split the PLAAF and PLA Naval Aviation and give both the space they
deserve for a comprehensive description and analysis. At around the same time this
decision was made, the idea emerged of a review of the army aviation branch.
In creating this volume, the main issue is clearly that, compared to the PLAAF and,
the PLA'.s army aviation is the least known of the country's air arms. This is undoubtedly
related to the fact that it is a relatively young force: its formation was only approved
in 1986 and it was established as the Army Aviation Corps in January 1988, using
helicopters inherited from the air force. In addition, due to the established histori-
cal structures stressing the plimacy of the ground forces, the PLA was long reluctant
to explore modem army aviation formations, other than where they could assist and
support the regular PLA Ground Force. Another issue is that in parallel to the overall
lack of information, army aviation was also heavily affected by the latest rounds of
general reforms. This not only included the change from military regions to theater
commands, but also yet another round of restructuling that changing the operational
structure from aviation regiments to brigades with multiple types assigned to different
battalions, and above all by its closer connection to the special forces. In that way, the
PLA Army Aviation follows a path established by the US Army and its own US Army
Aviation Branch and US Army Special Operations Aviation Command.
All these factors result in a situation in which the PLA Army Aviation is much less
well documented and understood. A comprehensive description of the PLA Army Avia-
tion is therefore much more difficult. Despite this, the decision was made to take this
opportunity for several reasons.
First, besides some smaller and lesser known specialist publications, this is the first
ever book dedicated exclusively to the Chinese army aviation.
Second, its aim is to provide a summary of what is known, to present a descrip-
tion of its force structure, training of aviators and its order of battle and, especially,
to describe the helicopters in service. It is more than likely this volume will need to
be updated again in a few years, much earlier than the other two books, due to the
, amount of new information that should become available. For the tin1e being, it should
provide an authoritative directory of modem Chinese amw air power that is both well
illustrated and complemented by in-depth analysis wherever possible.
This volume is therefore organised in a similar way to its sister publications: it
starts with a brief introduction of the historical roots of Chinese army aviation. Chap-
ter 2 continues with an explanation of the unique army aviation se1ial system and cul-
minates in a detailed description of the most important military helicopters and their
weapons found in Chinese service today. Chapter 4 gi,-es a b1ief overview of what is
known about the training syllabus and, as in the two other books, the core is formed

6
by the cwTent order of battle for the People's Liberation Army Aviation. The book ends
with an excurse - similar to the coast guard and paramilitary naval forces in the Naval
A\iation volume - to the People's Armed Police and border guards, which also operate
~mall but important aviation arms.
As in the two previous publications, the same limitations including the generally
,t1gue reporting in the media, the high levels of secrecy and security in regards to the
PRCs military, and the additional language barrier, might prevent or at least render
difficult, the process of assembling a reasonably accurate picture of China's army avia-
•on. \Tevertheless, the underlying aim of this work is to provide an extensively illus-
uared, compact yet comprehensive directory, with analysis of the organisation and
equipment that constitutes modern Chinese army air power. Once again it attempts to
a\-oid 'commonly accepted' thinking, which frequently leads to misinterpretations and
• understandings, often enough of a cultural and historical nature. Consequently, the
author has again paid special attention to cross-examination of the most problematic
mce for current developments in Chinese military matters - the internet. Its vari-
o pitfalls include the increased number of 'filtered' reports to the public, digitally
manipulated or reworked imagery and the frequent spreading of rumours in different
forums in order to conceal the truth. Again, the author's standpoint holds that when
it comes to the PRC and its military aviation, a lengthy learning process is required to
understand the true nature of the topic in hand. In this case, the quantity of informa-
tion is no indicator for the reliability of a specific source: only the quality counts.
With this in mind, the author again hopes that the result of this work provides a
unique source of reference on Chinese army aviation, its organisation and unit struc-
rure, as well as its current equipment. Above all, it is hoped this work will serve as a
eful tool for many observers outside - and perhaps also inside - the PRC who are
curious and eager to understand the 'rising dragon' of Chinese military aviation.
While considerable effort was invested into ensuring that the sources for all illus-
rrations presented herein were properly credited, some of these remain unknown. By
the san1e token, the author apologises in advance for any errors or inaccuracies in this
work: these are all his own.
Andreas Rupprecht, April 2019

Acknowledgements
This project would not have been possible without the support of many individuals.
The author would like to express his gratitude to a number of supervisors who pro-
\ided invaluable assistance, support, guidance and - most of all - patience in the pro-
ce s of developing this project. The deepest gratitude is offered to a number of post-
e on various online discussion groups, without whose knowledge and assistance
• work could never have been realised. Sadly, many of them - especially those in
China - prefer to remain anonymous. The author would like to thank them all for their
extensive help in the provision ofreferences, sharing of literature, translations of origi-
nal publications and documentation, research into the latest reorganisations and unit
• ignia, as well as their unstinting moral support.
Last but not least, the author would like to express his gratitude to his family, for
their understanding and patience throughout the duration of what was a very intensive
pe1iod of work

7
 Chinese Army viation
Abbreviations
'
I
AAM air-to-air missile
AB Air Base
AD Air Division
ADIZ Air Defence and Identification Zone
AESA active electronically scanned array
AEW&C airborne early warning and control
AFAU Air Force Aviation University
AGL above ground level
ALCM air-launched cruise missile
AR Air Regiment
ARH active radar homing
ARM anti-radiation (radar) missile
ASCC Air Standardisation Co-ordinating Committee (committee for standardi-
sation of designations for foreign [primarily Soviet and Chinese] arma-
ment; its standardisation codenames are usually lrnown as 'NATO desig-
nations' and have meanwhile been standardised as such)
ASM air-to-surface missile
ASW anti-submarine warfare
AVIC Aviation Industry Corporation of China
BR Bomber Regiment
BUAA Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
(also lrnown as Beihang University)
BVR beyond visual range
CAC Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation
CAE Chinese Academy of Engineering
CAF Chinese Air Force (1942-45)
CATIC China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation
CCP Chinese Communist Party
CDF China Defence Forum (www.china-defense.com/smf/index.php)
CEF Chengdu Aero-Engine Factory
CEGC Chengdu Engine Group Company
CFTE China Flight Test Establishment (sometimes also called 'Chinese Flight
Test Evaluation')
CHETA China Hai-Yang Electro-Mechanical Technology Academy
C-in-C commander-in-chief
CMA Chinese Military Aviation Page (http://chinese-military-aviation.blogspot.de)
CMC Central Military Commission
CNAF Chinese Nationalist Air Force (title often used in the 1940s and 1950s
to designate the air arm operated by the Nationalist Chinese during and
after the Civil War in China)
COMINT communications intelligence
CRT cathode-ray tube
det detachment
ECCM electronic counter-countermeasures
ECM electronic countermeasures
ECS East China Sea
EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone
ELINT electronic intelligence

8
EO electro-optical
ESM electronic support measures
(sensors typically used for gathering signals intelligence)
EW electronic warfare
FA Flying Academy
FBW fly-by-wire
FD Fighter Division
FLIR forward-looking infrared
F OD foreign object damage
FITC Flight Test and Training Centre
GAIC Guizhou Aviation Industry Corporation
(also known as Guizhou Aviation Aircraft Co Ltd (GAC))
GAIG Guizhou Aviation Industry Group
GCI ground-control/controlled interception
Gen general (military commissioned officer rank)
GP general-purpose (bomb)
GPS Global Positioning System
HAF Harbin Aircraft Factory
HAIG Hongdu Aviation Industry Group
HALE high altitude long endurance
HAMC Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
HMS helmet-mounted sight
R OTAS hands on throttle and stick
HQ headquarters
IFF identification friend or foe
IPR in-flight refuelling
l\-S inertial navigation system
IR infrared
IRST infrared search and track
in production
KnAAPO Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association
I.CD liquid-crystal display
I.GB laser-guided bomb
LLTV low-light-level television
U IC Liyang Machinery Corporation (assigned to Liyang Aero Engine
Corporation, now a subsidiary of GAIC)
Y A.I Ministry of Aircraft Industry
IAWS missile approach warning sensor
multi-function display
~ Ministry of National Defence
oA Ministry of Aeronautics
m Military Region
~ AF Military Region Air Force
filTB Military Region Training Base
Naval Aviation
Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Company
not known
:J>U Northwestern Polytechnical University
:;RIET Nanjing Research Institute of Defence Technology
~LTIT National University of Defence Technology

9
 Chinese Army Aviation
ocu Operational Conversion Unit
OTU Operational Training Unit
PDF Pakistan Defence Forum (https://defence.pk/pdf/)
PGM precision-guided munition
PLA People's Liberation Army
PLAAA People's Liberation Army Army Aviation
PLAAF People's Liberation Army Air Force
PLAGF People's Liberation Army Ground Force
PLAN People's Liberation Army Navy
PRC People's Republic of China
RCS radar cross-section
RHAWS radar homing and warning system
ROC Republic of China (Taiwan)
RoCAF Republic of China Air Force
RoEs rules of engagement
RWR radar warning receiver
SAC Shenyang Aircraft Industry Corporation
SADO Shenyang Aero-engine Design Office
SAEF Shenyang Aero Engine Factory (now Shenyang Liming Aero Engine
Company- Liming Engine Manufacturing Corporation)
SAIC Shaanxi Aircraft Industry Corporation
(also known as Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation)
SAM surface-to-air missile
SAR search and rescue
SARH semi-active radar homing
SATCOM satellite communications
scs South China Sea
SDF Sino Defence Forum (www.sinodefenceforum.com)
SEAD suppression of enemy air defences
SEF Shenyang Aero-Engine Factory
SIGINT signals intelligence
TACAN Tactical Air Navigation
TFG Tactical Fighter Group
TFW Tactical Fighter Wing
UAV unmanned aerial vehicle
UCAV unmanned combat aerial vehicle
UHF ultra high frequency
UN United Nations
USD US Dollars
USN United States Navy (includes US Naval Aviation)
'USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
VHF very high frequency
VKS Vozdushno-Kosmicheskie Sily (Russian Aerospace Forces)
vvs Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily (Soviet Air Force)
WIG wing-in-ground-effect craft, or (in Russian), ekranoplan
XAC Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (also Xi'an Aircraft Company)
XAE Xi'an Aero-Engine Corporation

10
HISTO
CH

CHINESE ARMY AVIATION

Attracting even°less public attention outside the PRC than the naval air arm, which
already stands in the shadow of the PLAAF, the PLA Army Aviation finds itself some-
"Khat overlooked. On the one hand, the number of publications regarding its history is
limited, even though it is the youngest aviation branch. At the same time, public inter-
is much lower, so that overall much less information is available.
The following is a brief introduction to the PLA Army - or Ground Force, as it is
properly called today - since it provides the basics to help understand this relatively
recent aerial branch of what is, in fact, the oldest service within the Chinese military.

General background
Officially, the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) is the oldest branch
rnthin the entire Chinese armed forces. The Ground Force is often mislabelled or sim-
plified as the People's Liberation Army, or PLA - due to the term 'army' - but the PLA
properly refers to the armed forces of the People's Republic of China (PRC) as a whole.
In this way, they are comparable to other nations' armed forces. The PLA consists of
Sw professional service branches, namely the Ground Force (PLAGF), Navy (PLAN),
_-\ir Force (PLAAF), Rocket Force (PLARF, formerly known as the Second Artillery
Corps, or SAC), and the Strategic Support Force (PLASSF).
Consequently, only the PLAGF is in fact analogous to what is usually described as
the ·army' in other forces, namely the land-based service branch. The PLA Ground
~orce is the largest and oldest branch within the PLA and can actually trace its lineage The Z-5 was the fi rst helicopter
ewn back to 1927. However, it was officially established only in November 1948, when to enter widespread PLA service
- long before establishment of
the PLA organised a huge number of already existing separated armies and divisions
the true PLA Army Aviation.
iiuo around 67 armies consisting of three divisions each. (CDF)
The history of the Ground Force itself is not relevant for the PLA Army Aviation, but
::: me of these armies - better known as army groups or group armies (GA) - form the
core of the current force structure. Some GAs survived for over 50 years, and several
more were quickly amalgamated, reformed or abolished in the early 1950s. The latest
reforn1 initiated in 2017 resulted in 13 GAs, which are corps-level military formations.
For decades, most regular GAs consisted of up to four divisions, usually including
!:nfanb-y, armour, artillery, air defence, airborne and air support elements. A dedicated
aircraft element was not common until the army aviation was founded in 1986. In gen-

11
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

eral, as described in the PLA Naval Aviation and PLAAF books, the overall size of the
PLA has been dramatically reduced in recent times especially during the latest round of
restructuring, and the PLA Ground Force had to bear the bulk of these numerical reduc-
tions. However, technology-intensive elements like special operations forces (SOF),
surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and electronic warfare (EW) units have all been rapidly
expanded and this development also includes the army aviation with the formation of
dedicated units and the introduction of several hundred helicopters.
Given the fact, that the PLA Army Aviation was only established in 1986, a review
of the first four phases - Prequel (1924 to 1949), Foundations (January 1949 to Decem-
ber 1953) and Expansion (January 1954 to April 1966) and Cultural Revolution (1966
The Z-6 was once planned to 1976) - as for the other two aviation branches is not necessary. Consequently, the
as the successor to the Z-5, historical review starts with the phase of 'Modernisation efforts', initiated in the mid-
but was cancelled in the 1980s. Anyway, preceding the establishment of a true Army Aviation Corps and the
1970s following the Cultural
import of foreign designs, there were some failed attempts to develop indigenous solu-
Revolution.
(FYJS Forum) tions.
Already in 1966, development of the Z-6 was started based on the piston engine
powered Z-5 - a licenced version of the Mi-4 - by the Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing
Corporation (HAMC), which was later transferred to the newly formed Chinese Heli-
copter Design Research Institute (CHDRI). In fact, the turboshaft powered Z-6 was an
indigenous attempt to follow a similar path, Russia preceded with the development of
the Mi-8 based on the Mi-4. Even if a first prototype was finished in 1967 and a second
one flew in December 1969, flight testing was not successful due to several technical
issues and design shortcomings. In the end due to the political turmoil in China via the
Cultural Revolution, only 11 Z-6s were built and the project then cancelled.

Modernisation - 1976 to the present 1

For long, the main task for helicopters was only transportation of soldiers and equip-
ment and to assist the regular PLAGF The very first considerations that lead to the
introduction of an offensive part of PLA Army Aviation date back to 1979. At that time,
the PLA was concerned about large opposing armour formations and even more how
to deal with them. The resulting study based after analysing Eastern and Western bloc
A few SA342L Gazelle
hel icopters were introduced in
forces and their use of helicopters resulted in the conclusion, thaMhe best conven-
1988 to explore the tactical use tional solution was the use of attack helicopters. In consequence, a limited number of
of helicopters in the offensive eight Aerospatiale SA342L Gazelle helicopters armed with the Euromissile HOT ATGM
role. were purchased for evaluation purpose in 1988.
(CDF)
Founding of what is now understood as the PLA Army Aviation occurred already
two years before, when in 1986 the Central Military Commission (CMC) approved the
establishment of an own PLA Army Aviation unit (AAU) or Army Aviation Bureau as
• a second-level department under the General Staff Department along with a separate
army aviation branch, PLA Army Aviation is in many Western reports often also known
as the PLA Army Aviation Corps and a first regiment was formed in January 1988.
The very first dedicated army aviation helicopters however were not additional or
specifically purchased ones, but simply by transferring the maj01ity of PLAAF helicop-
ters into the AAU. Types included in these very early days were a few Mi-4 and Z-5, and
Mi-8. Additionally, a few Mi-4s were delivered to the border patrol forces.

12
 Chapter 1

In the meantime, the PLA had decided by around the mid-1980s, that the Gazelle
\Yere never suitable as a dedicated attack helicopter and that a new design for combat
operations would be required. Again, the situation during the brief Sino-Western hon-
eymoon before the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 were confusing but there are
reports that China evaluated both the Italian Agusta Al29 Mangusta and the US Bell
AH-1 Cobra. Allegedly, in 1988 an agreement was secured with the United States to
purchase Cobras and to license manufacture the BGM-71 TOW missiles.
Unfortunately, a decent development to a modern PLA Army Aviation was soon The first indigenous helicopter
hampered by the arms embargo in 1989 and both agreements were cancelled. Overall, to enter service was t he Z-8.
• period can be characterised by the increased introduction of more modern heli- This is one of the four first
examples delivered to the PLA
copters including developments of the Z-8 and Z-9 series and the purchase of Western
Army Aviation. However, it
.1)es like the S-70C-2, which completed the already outdated fleet of venerable Z-5. was not a success and only a
_\dclitionally, the Z-8 and a few Mi-8/-17 finally provided a medium lift capability and small batch was delivered in
me old Y-5s were replaced by Y-7s and complemented by a single flight of Y-8 trans- November 2002.
ports. The PLA Army Aviation Corps also operated a dedicated VIP squadron flying six (CDF)
Aerospatiale AS332 Super Puma and four Bell 214.
E,·en if the Eastern bloc was quick to step in to replace the West as the major arms
supplier, the revolutions in several Eastern countries still prevented the purchase of
uu.e attack helicopters in the early 1990s, so that in the end the PLA failed to purchase
:he :\W Mi-24. At least several more Mi-l 7s were ordered. In parallel, it seems as if there
was an internal rivalry between the Army and the PLAAF on the issue, whether
arrack helicopters should be commanded by the army or the air force. In the end, the
P A _-\rmy Aviation succeeded and the initial use of interim Z-9WAs in the anti-tank
role helped a lot to define the Z-l 0's requirements as well to initiate the development
: a new generation ATGMs. In parallel to the development of China's first dedicated
.ac k helicopter, also a new transport type was initiated by Nos 602 and 608 Research
:=.. ·rutes in 1994, as the six-ton class 'China Medium Helicopter' (CHM) program. As
nplained in Chapter 3, this project was most likely initiated as civilian project in order
:~ : ·ure significant Western technical assistance for the Z-l0's development, but in
~ end also led to the development of a successor for the Z-9. In 1998, finally this
" -er-up was omitted, when the No. 602 Research Institute proposed to separate the
armed helicopter programme from the CHM program and to concentrate development
_ me armed helicopter program. In consequence, the CHM program continued with
::educed p1i01ity and later evolved into the much larger Z-20, whereas the combat type A few AS532C Super Pumas/
_: :a.me the 'Special Armed Project'. Quite interesting, there are still reports that men- Cougars were introduced
:;:.ai re,ised interests around 2000 in a direct purchase of either the Kamov Ka-50 or the for test work, but in the end
__ ti-2 . but both efforts failed. the type was not purchased,
the Mi- 17 and Mi- 171 being
- • clear that some sort of operational/organisation changes must have been intro-
preferred.
axed in this period: a hierarchical change was set in 1993, when the Army Aviation (CDF)
3.:rreau \\·as incorporated under the General Staff Department's (GSD) Service Arms
=IE•panrnent (* ff {f~) as a third-level department. This decision however was reverted
:~5. \\·hen it was separated and became a second-level Army Aviation Department
=
~ ~-=: ~ ,f: ~ ) under the GSD. Operationally this also led to some changes, since
:...=e - far the regiments operated only a single type squadron, these units must have
-~~ expanded by some time to a structure in which each b1igade was now under
_:crol of one to three regular aviation regiments and two or more reserve units. This
ge o resulted in changing from regiments operating a single type of helicopter

13
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

to a structure, where different types were flown by different squadrons within the same
regiment. Altogether reports conclude that this period until the turn of the century had
22 aviation regiments including nine active front-line regiments complemented by one
army aviation training regiment and approximately nine reserve regiments plus about
five special army aviation units. The Army Aviation College, dedicated to training the
PLA Army Aviation, was created tin June 1999, which is a corps deputy leader-grade
organisation directly subordinate to GSD and is located in Beijing. The college had
three subordinate flight training bases, which were located in Beijing, Shanxi Province
and Sichuan Province.
In parallel, the early years of the 2000s saw several changes in command towards
the recent status even with some detours: allegedly in 2003 the PLA Army Aviation was
regraded a strategic asset and thus control of the Army Aviation Bureau was moved
from the PLA Ground Forces directly under General Staff Department command. Its
main task was to deploy helicopters and light aircraft to support regular PLAGF opera-
tions to perform anti-tank and electronic countern1easure missions as well as to insert
Special Forces. Consequently, it had a similar status to the Airborne Forces, which
are usually under the peacetime command of the PLA Air Force. When this status was
returned to the regular PLAGF is unclear.
Concerning the most recent changes in the PLA's organisational structure from
Military Regions to Theater Commands and from regiments to brigades, which also
affected the PLA Army Aviation, the first new army aviation brigade was formed by
expanding an existing regiment in 2009 in the former Lanzhou Military Region2.
A second new regiment was then formed within the former 41st Group Army- now
the 74th GA-in mid-20163 and as Dennis J. Blasko4 summarised: 'This trend continues
into the current round of reform with one exception.' ... 'Prior to current structural
changes when the PLA had 18 Group Armies and 12 Army Aviation units, only nine
Group Armies had an Army Aviation unit assigned. One Army Aviation brigade
was subordinate to the former General Staff Department (GSD) and one more was
assigned to the Xinjiang Military District additionally to a regiment to the Tibet
Military District. However, only six Group Armies and the two Military Districts
mentioned had both an Army Aviation unit and a SOF unit.'
Indeed, while other forces were reduced in this period, the PLA Army Aviation must
have gained additional founding so that by 2013 several new brigades were established
thorugh the combination of multiple former helicopter regiments within the then
Chengdu, Guangzhou, Lanzhou and Nanjing Military Region Commands.
Quite interesting, in 2013 it was expected that by the 2020s the PLA Arn1y Aviation
could have expanded its force to 10 brigades with around 1,000 helicopters; that goal
was already achieved in August 20165. In parallel to the aforementioned expansion,
the development and introduction of indigenous helicopter types was dramatically
increased.
Even if still helicopters based on foreign technology remained the most important
asset - the Z-10 entered service in 2010, the Z-19 followed two years later in 2012. The
Z-8 was completely refurbished and evolved into the current Z-8G and Z-8L and finally
the Z-20 is close to enter service.

14
 Chapter 1

2016-2018: Recent developments

.::mlilar to the PLAAF and PLA Naval Aviation, the PLAGF and its army aviation branch
sa" the most profound reforms beginning in early 2017. At that time the number of
unit had grown to 12 frontline units, which were organised in five regiments and
- w n brigades - and as such a clear hint for a still ongoing greater reform - and a few
u aining units.
The true reorganisation started in April 2017 with the announcement of the PLA'~
- corps-level units' system. In a similar way, former air divisions were abolished and
-;:heir former regiments reform as air brigades and subordinated to bases, the PLA Today, most LH brigades employ
_-\rmy Aviation was influenced by the general PLAGF reform. In this reform, the num- several battalions each equipped
ber of group armies was further reduced from 18 to 13. Highly significant however with a single type of helicopter,
as demonstrated by the Xinjiang
\\""as. that none of the five disbanded group armies had either an army aviation or SOF
Brigade with the Z-8G and
unit assigned. 6 -The most dramatic change was the reform to a brigade structure, which Z-9WZ.
" as almost completed by mid-2017, when the count of army aviation units reached the (Wu Shike/chinamil.com)
lewl of 11 brigades and one regiment.
_-illother change was that the former GSD Army Aviation Brigade and the single bri-
~ de assigned to the Xinjiang Military District have been reassigned to group armies.

Futu re prospects
e:x-pected in 2017, the new reform resulted in assignments of both an army avia-
tion b1igade and a SOF brigade to almost all of the 13 Group Armies. In the one case
;- not already done, it will surely soon be accomplished. Similar to the former GSD
_-\rmy Aviation brigade and the Xinjiang Military District Army Aviation brigade, this
'i\"" facilitated through either the expansion of former regiments to brigades or the
re signment of certain units as well as the establishment of new units. Examples are
the creation of army aviation brigades in the 71st and 78th Group Armies and in Tibet
ed on elements of other brigades. In addition, concerning SOF units this reform will
either be set up through the expansion of existing regiments to brigades and in case
\\""ithout a former SOF unit via the conversion of conventional infantry units to SOF
brigades. However, all this takes time, dedicated training and additional funds. At least four Z-20 prototypes
are known and '636' is the
_\.nyway, how increasingly important the PLA rates army aviation assets to modem latest example, seen here in
joint and combined arms operations, can be seen by the constant introduction of mod- October 2018 together with
em types and the increase in numbers, while at the same time other less-joint capable another example at an unknown
uni were downsized or even abolished. location. '636' differs in having
a modified radar installation on
If this focus on 'joint' will be even further expanded/intensified via the creation of
its nose.
organic helicopter units within the five joint Theater Commands and the five Theater (via PDF)
Command Army headquarters or if smaller detachment like units would be dispersed
off tl\e major garrison cities is unclear yet. Eventually this could even expand to the
question on how to organise, operate and disperse helicopter units for other purposes
• -e border control, disaster relief missions and for general logistics. Finally, there are
• ussions since years on if also - additionally to the PLAAF's Airborne Forces and
the PLAN's Marines - some sort airmobile units comparable to the US Am1y Rangers
\\""ill be established in which infantry and helicopter units are acting as a joint special
operational force unit.

15
 Ch inese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

In conclusion, the PLAGF seem to have acknowledged how vital army aviation
assets are to modern warfare operations and joint operations against incurring terror-
ists especially in the confusing Western Theater close to the former Soviet republics,
Afghanistan, India and Pakistan, where the PLA Army Aviation will play a most impor-
tant role besides its original tasks of providing anti-tank warfare and support to ground
forces.
However, some severe limitations still remain. The ability of the civilian aviation
industry to develop and produce enough heavy transport helicopters remains limited
by production capability, but also the ability to train enough personnel to operate this
increasing number of helicopters in ever more demanding mission scenarios.
These points both take time and money, but the probably gravest factor is tactical
or even mentality issue. Due to the limited numbers of helicopter and SOF available
and because most commanders were usually trained almost exclusively within their
own branch, they barely know how - or sometimes might be unwilling - to employ
'new-type combat forces'.
Again, this change of mindset from traditional operations to modern integrated
joint operations will not occur overnight. So, one can expect that the PLA Army Avia-
tion will surely continue not only its expansion by numbers but also in capabilities. 7

Endnotes
l https://jarnestown.org/prograrn/recent-developments-chinese-annys-helicopter-force/
2 http://slide.mil.news.sina.com.cn/slide_8_l99_38.html%20-%20p=l#p=l
3 http://english.chinamil.com.cn/news-<:hannels/photo-reports/2016-07/26/content_7174673.htm
4 BLASKO, D. J., 'Recent Developments in the Chinese Army's Helicopter Force', China Brief, Volume 17,
Issue 8, 9 June 2017
(https://jarnestown.org/program/recent-developments-chinese-annys-helicopter-force/)
5 http://www.81.cn/jmywyl/2016-08/06/content_7193691.htm and https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/
world/china/anny-avn.htm
6 BLASKO, D. J., 'Vvhat is Known and Unknown about Changes to the PLA's Ground Combat Units,' China
B1i ef, Volume 17, Issue 7, 11 May 2017
(https://jarnestown.org/program/known-unknown-changes-plas-ground-combat-unitsf)
7 Beijing Jiefangjun Bao Online; 15 May 2015 Online Edtion of Jiefangjw1 Bao; Subject: Army Aviation Official
Discusses Military Modernisation (http://www.chinamil.com.cnf).

16
 .....,,,.ffltM"::tr:c

, ~.,
8""'
,,

~-~-- ~

ARMY AVIATION AIRCRAFT MARKINGS

A'ND SERl~L NUMBER SYSTEM

ATIONAL MARKINGS
19-±9, all PLA military aircraft have been marked with the traditional 'star and
:. ,,.· marking, applied in bright red and outlined in yellow and quite unsurprising the
~\ ..\rrny Aviation is no exception. For the helicopters in use it is usually located
~- minently on each side of the rear fuselage and on the bottom of the fuselage. Trans- PLAGFfl ag
_on aircraft like the Y-7, Y-8C and Y-9 have the same location as for PLA Naval Aviation
PL.\AF alternatively on either side of the tailfin and on the upper and lower sur-
::aces of both wings. The central star motif contains the Chinese digits 8 over 1, applied
_ yellow, indicating 1 August (1927), the date of the formation of the PLA. Despite the
apparent standardisation of the star and bar marking, at least three different basic ver-
have been observed to date, as well as four different methods of application of
PLA roundel
ar and its digits 8 and 1.
In contrast to the Naval Aviation, and more recently the PLAAF, so far no toned-
down rnarkings have been identified.

PLA Army Aviation serial number system

Original serial number system (pre-2017) Old pilot shoulder patch with
)ne of the most striking external characteristics of all Chinese aircraft, are their serial LH emblem
nrnnbers, usually consisting of five digits. In contrast to the systems used by the Naval
A,iation and PLAAF, which are quite similar, the PLA Army Aviation has a slightly dif-
:erent one in use. These serial numbers are usually applied in large white - and rarely
black - solid or broken numbers on the tail boom or tail.
O.·erall reflecting the relatively small size of the army aviation, one might expect its
- rial number system to be more streamlined, even though it is still based on the same
:orrnat. However, it offers a few unique issues. Its first characteristic is that all serial
numbers have leading LH letters in front of the number. LH in this case stands for for
·1t1Bing HangKong' or 'Army Aviation' in short and until late 2016 the serial numbers
w-ere usually blocks of five digits. This however changed with the establishment of
more than the original nine army aviation regiments, when a few regiments received
si-:-digit numbers. As mentioned in the PLAAF book, all army aviation serial numbers
-ai1 with a 9. Exceptions to this rule were a few rarely known special units, where
the leading 9 was omitted. The whole number is the followed by a 'atxx' sequence
of codes, with 'a' designating the original regimental identification number. Quite a

17
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

unique specialty however - and in contrast to the Naval Aviation, but similar to the sys-
tem in use by the PLAF Airborne Forces - the third digit (in the middle of the number)
't' is a type indicator, which bears some relationship between the code and the aircraft
type, which is simply reduced to a characteristic single number. The final two digits
'xx' represent the individual aircraft respectively.

The original type indicator 't' followed this pattern:

Code number Helicopter type
Code 0 Transport (AS332, Mi-6, Y-8)
Demonstrating the original Code 1 Alouette Ill
standard five-digit serial system, Code 2 S-70C
this Z-9WA is from the former
4th LH Regiment, or later 4th Code 3 SA342 Gazelle
Brigade. Code 4 Z-1 1
(F.KSCAN via CDF)
Code 5 Z-5 (Mi-4)
Code 6 Z- 6 (modified Z-5 or early Mi-8)
Code 7 Mi-17 or Mi-171
Code 8 Mi-8 (or early Z-8?)
Code 9 Z-9 (AS365)

The original standard five-digit serial system, that was introduced already in 1986 (?),
was therefore quite similar to the system in Naval Aviation use, where the fourth digit/
number denotes the Naval Aviation Division. In the few known four digit serials - com-
parable to the independent regiments in Naval Aviation and once PLAAF service - the
first digit is the squadron identification number. This system was valid until early 2017.

denoting Army aircraft type designator

LH9atxx

LH regiment individual aircraft number

The number versus regiment allocation is presented in the following below:

Serial range Regiment
LH90cxx Army Aviation Trai ning Regiment
LH91 CXX 1st Army Aviation Regiment
LH92cxx 2nd Army Aviation Regiment
LH93cxx 3rd Army Aviation Regiment
LH94cxx 4th Army Aviation Regiment
LH95cxx 5th Army Aviation Regiment
LH96cxx 6t h Army Aviation Regiment
LH97cxx 7th Army Aviation Regiment
LH98cxx 8th Army Aviation Reg iment
LH99cxx 9th Army Aviation Reg iment
LH910cxx 10th Army Aviation Regiment
LH912cxx 12th Army Aviation Regiment

18
 Chapter 2

New serial number system since 2017

Following the latest reorganisation and integration of all former regiments within the
remaining Group Almies (GA) as regular brigades, since early 2017 a common six-digit
system was introduced fleet-wide. Even if still confusing and not entirely understood,
it seems to follow this structure: again, all serial numbers retain the leading LH let-
ters in front of the numbers. As before the numbers itself begin with the first digit
9, followed by an 'abtxx' sequence of codes, with 'ab' designating the new brigade
identification number in which 'a' denotes the Theater Command and 'b' the number/
order of the brigade within this TC. The remaining letters/digits 'txx' then follow the
established system as before with 't' as a slightly revised type indicator, and the final
nvo digits 'xx' denoting the individual helicopter or aircraft within this brigade. Under the latest reform in
2017, all serial numbers we re
The 'ab' indicator follows this pattern for the letter 'a': expanded to six-d igit numbers
as seen on Z-9WA 'LH992977'.
(Zhanghui via CDF)
denoting Army aircraft type designator

LH9abtxx

Theater Command & LH brigade individual aircraft number

The number versus regiment allocation is presented in the following below:

Theater Command Code number
Eastern TC 9
Southern TC 8
estern TC 7
orthern TC 6
Cen tral TC 5

The revised type indicator 't' follows this pattern:

Code number Helicopter type
Code 0 Tran sport (Y-7, Y-8, Y-9)
Code 1 Z-10
Code 2 S-70C-2
Code 3 SA342 Gazelle
Cod e 4 Z-11
Code 5 No longer in use
Code 6 No longer in use
Code 7 Mi-17 or Mi-171
Code 8 Z-8
Code 9 Z-9andZ-19

19
111

Ch inese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Another still not solved question is, if there is a consistent pattern for the final 'xx'
number denoting the individual aircraft within one battalion. Usually all aircraft are
organised along 12 aircraft within one battalion and a typical army aviation brigade
would consist of eight battalions. Based on this assumption, one might expect for the
tail numbers above the following system:

Number of battalion Tail number 'xx' Aircraft type spotted with these numbers
This old Z-9B was spotted only 1st Battalion 00/01 to 12 Mi- 17, Z-8, Z- 10
recently and reveals an unusual 2nd Battalion 13 to 24 Z-19
non-standard serial number.
(via meyet Foru m) 3rd Battalion 25 to 36 M i-1 7, Z-9, Z-10
37 to 48 Mi-1 7, Z-9
4th Batta Iion 49 to 60 Mi- 17, Z-8, Z- 9
5th Battalion 61 to 72 M i- 17, Z-9
6th Battalion 73 to 84 M i-17, Z-9
7th Battalion 85 to 96/97 Mi-1 7, Z-1 9
8th Battalion Mi-17, Z-19

However, following a comparison of known numbers, it does not appear that there is
a consistent pattern for which certain aircraft types are assigned to a certain battalion
by number.
The only exceptions to this general system are the PLA Army Aviation training bri-
gades, which for long had no uniform identification system. For several years, they
used a system within the LH904xx, LH905xx or LH908xx range for their XX types, but
one uses LH90txx (where t = the code listed above). Presumably this will change in
due course, possibly to a system where the third digit will correspond to the brigade
number.

20
 -

A - -- •·. . ..-. - -·
. - - - ..,;c....;~.....c:.:;.,.-"r-~..c;.. I

HELICOPTERS AND UAVS

CURRENT OPERATIONAL TYPES

In order to concentrate the content of this book on the PLA Army Aviation's current
order of battle and most of all the recent developments, the description of the indi-
vidual aerial assets for the army aviation will follow the same structure and pattern
as in the two previous volumes of Modern Chinese Warplanes concerning the Naval
Aviation and the PLAAF However, since this is probably the first publication on this
topic and since the PLA Army Aviation does not operate a similar wide range of types,
the operational types can be described in greater detail.

Combat and transport helicopters

Similar to the PLAAF and Naval Aviation, also the PLA Army Aviation had for many
years a quite limited composition of standard types. These were most of all from the
Changhe Z-8 and Harbin Z-9 family and these two types were used for all roles ranging
from transport to liaison, reconnaissance and attack. In recent years, the number of
types in use was dramatically expanded and now also includes several more tactical
transports and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). True dedicated combat helicopters New pilot shou lder patch
comparable to those used by the
were only introduced in 2010 with the introduction of the Z-10. PLAAF and PLA Naval Aviation.

Changhe Aircraft Industrial Corporation (CHAIC) Z-8/Z-18

This, for many years largest helicopter in PLA service, was designed by the No. 602
Institute/Changhe Aircraft Industrial Corporation (CHAIC) as a development of the
French SA321Ja Super Frelon, 13 of which were acquired in the late 1970s. This heli-
copter was developed in the 1980s as a land- or ship-based medium-sized ASW/SAR
helicopter and several Z-Ss in different versions have been delivered to PLAN as Z-SJ
transports, Z-SS naval SAR versions plus another SAR variant called Z-SJH fitted with
medical equipment. It has a maximum take-off weight of 13 tons (28,660lbs), a cruis-
ing speed of 248km/h (154mph), a service ceiling of 3,050m (10,007ft) and is pow-
ered by three WZ-6 turboshafts. Similarly, the PLAAF introduced several dozens of
the improved Z-SK SARs and Z-SKA CSARs variants since 2007 powered by upgraded
WZ-6G turboshafts and equipped with a glass cockpit. The final PLAAF variant is the

21
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Z-8KH which is operated in Hong Kong, and which features additional chaff and flare
dispensers installed in the floats.
Besides the naval and PLAAF variants mentioned above, the most widely used type
are the army transport variants called Z-8A and Z-8B. The original Z-8A was certified in
February 1999 and at least two were delivered to the Army for evaluation in 2001 but
due to reliability and performance issues most of all related to the weak and unreli-
able original WZ-6A turboshaft engines only a small batch of nine (some say only six)
were delivered to the Army in November 2002 to the then 7th LH Regiment (26th GA,
LH978:xx series serial numbers). The very first Z-8A delivered to the Army retained the
Only a few of the original Z-8s
were inducted. Th is early variant prominent weather radar in the bulbous nose and the side floats. Due to the urgent
was somewhat similar to its requirement for a capable medium weight transport helicopter, the PLA Army Aviation
naval cousin, retaining the ordered several more Russian Mi-17 (see below) and only after 2010, after the PLAAF
prominent weather radar and has successfully introduced the uprated Z-8K/KA variants, army aviation has acquired
side floats.
(CDF) the improved Z-8B.
One major reason for this was the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, where the helicopter
proved its value in humanitarian missions. In addition, uprated engines acquisition
and some design changes helped to improve some of the issues which had hindered
the Z-8 for decades to be introduced in larger numbers. In contrast to its predeces-
sor Z-8A, and in order to improve its performances, the Z-8B has the floats removed
to reduce weight. Also, they are fitted with a modernised glass cockpit similar to the
civil AC313 and most likely are powered by upgraded WZ-6G turboshafts. The Z-8B
has been in service since 2011 and even if production has ended and the most widely
used transport type is still the Mi-17/-171 it appears that this type has become a major
component of the PLA Army's transport helicopter fleet. Since July 2015 there are
several Z-8Bs, which have the floats reinstalled to improve their survivability over the
water and since February 2017 a few have been upgraded with an additional SATCOM
antenna installed on top of the tail boom. As announced in early 2018, army aviation
began phasing out the oldest of the original Z-8A and Z-8B and they are currently being
replaced by the latest Z-8G and Z-20.
Besides the regular PLA Army, also the Chinese People's Armed Police ordered
reportedly 18 Z-8 helicopters, the majority of which are assigned to forestry fire fight-
ing units. Not much is currently known about this dedicated variant, which is a hybrid
The PLA only acqu ired
additional, improved Z-8B
variant often called Z-8WJ and combines certain elements of the Z-8B with the civil
transport helicopters after 2010. AC312 and even more confusing, three slightly different subtypes were identified: the
These are similar to the Z-8KH, first is more or less a Z-8B with the floats removed but still the nose radar installed,
with the floats removed to the second is a variant of the original civil AC313 but still with the huge nose radome
reduce weight. This example is
and the final, most recent version is sometimes called Z-8AWJ, is de facto a variant of
from the former 5th LH Brigade.
(B747SP NKG) the naval Z-18A.
The Z-18 is actually a modern 13- to 14-ton helicopter and successor for the dated
Z-8-family and is a military variant of the civil Avicopter AC313 - also known as the
Changhe Z-8F-100 - itself a heavily updated development of the Z-8. Main features are
the use of composite materials for the rotor blade and a titanium main rotor, a modern
integrated digital avionics system, an advanced electronic flight instrument landing
system and most of a redesigned fuselage with larger internal volume and uprated
WZ-6C turboshaft engines (approximately 1,300kW/l,743hp) giving better perfor-
mance at higher altitudes and temperatures. The first prototype flew for the first time
in March 2010. Similar to the original Z-8, also the first subvariants to enter service

22
 Chapter 3

De facto a new helicopter,

comparable to the
Agu staWestland AW101, the
Z-BG is the most modern rotary
type in PLA Army Aviation
service and is ta ilored for high-
altitude operations in Tibet.
(Zhangwentian via PDF)

were for the Naval Aviation. These are the standard Z-18 VIP-transport, the AEW vari-
ant Z-18J and an ASW/ASh W variant Z-18F, which have already been deployed in Naval
Aviation service. Addilional variants have been developed, are undergoing operational
evaluation or are still under development for all PLA branches.
The PLA Army Aviation is evaluating its own dedicated tactical transport version
- originally known as Z-18A- since late 2014 and quite surprisingly the Army variants
still follow the Z-8 designation, so that only the naval variants are called Z-18. It is
designed to carry more passengers or a payload of five tons (ll,023lbs) and has a maxi-
mum range of 900km (559 miles). In contrast to its naval derivates it features a further
modified fuselage with a reprofiled nose section similar to that of the Mi-171 and S-92.
It can accommodate 27 fully armed troops or 15 medical stretchers, has a range of 800
to 1,000km (497 to 621 miles) and is especially tailored to mountainous operations
up to 8,000m (26,247ft) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateaus. It is more powerful and better
suited to this than the earlier Z-8B model or the Russian Mi-171 helicopters. This new
version now officially designated Z-8G features a terrain-following radar - similar to
the smaller Z-20 - mounted under the nose and it has a SATCOM dome as well as Bei- The only clear image of the Z-BL
dou/GPS antennas installed on top of the tail boom for long-range communications, to emerge so far. This variant is
probably better known as the
however not all operational Z-8Gs have this dome installed. Additionally, it is equipped
Z-8 'wide-body'.
with RWR and a comprehensive communication system. (DS via CDF)

The future
The Z-8G entered service in early 2018, and is slowly replacing older Z-8A/Bs. In this role
it will surely play a major role as the PLA Army Aviation's future heavy/medium-weight
transport helicopter replacing not only the dated Z-8A/B but also the Mi-17/-171. Fol-
lowing the latest information from November 2017, a yet even more radically improved
variant allegedly called Z-81 with a wider fuselage is currently under test. From the few
images available, it looks similar to the US Sikorsky S-92 with large sponsons on the
fuselage probably containing additional fuel.

23
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Harbin Aircraft Industria l Group (HAIG) Z-9 Haitun

Similar to the Z-8, which was for long the main medium weight transport helicopter in
PLA Army Aviation service, the current standard helicopter for all other roles was the
Z-9 Haitun series. Itself a licenced development of the original AS565N Dauphin for the
early variants, it was later an uprated version based on the AS565SA Panther, devel-
oped by the No. 602 Institute and Harbin Aircraft Industrial Group (HAIG). Besides the
naval variants Z-9C/D/S and Z-9T also the PLAAF operates a few Z-9WA/WZ and Z-9ZH.
Following a licence manufacturing agreement signed in October 1980, the origi-
nal Z-9 variant had its maiden flight in 1981 and was de facto an AS365Nl built in
China from components delivered by Aerospatiale. After the initial aircraft, produc-
tion switched to the slightly improved AS365N2, which featured slightly uprated Arriel
1C2 turboshafts (549kW/737shp), an uprated gearbox, increased maximum take-off
weight and a redesigned cabin doors and revised interior, enlarged tail fin with all
composite Fenestron. Deliveries of this version started in 1990 as the Z-9A and from
1993/94 on as the Z-9B, which was originally known as the Z-9A-100. This variant has
an increased percentage of about 70 per cent indigenous components and features
11-blade Fenestron tail rotor with wider-chord, all-composite blades replacing the
13-blade in AS365N. Most important, it is powered by indigenous WZ-8A engines; a
licenced Turbomeca Arriel engine produced in China. After flight-testing was com-
pleted in November 1992 production began in 1993 and service entry in 1994. Both
early models were used mainly as light transport helicopters. However, since their
capacity was limited to only eight soldiers, in this role they were soon superseded by
the larger and more versatile Mi-l 7/171 medium transport helicopters imported from
Russia.
On the civil market, the Z-9B has been superseded by the further improved Z-9EH,
which was at first known as the H410 and H410A that later evolved into the current

Z-9WAs armed with PL-90

AAMs and assigned to the
former 4th LH Brigade - organic
to the PLA Army Aviation's
Headquarters - take off for a
training mission.
(F.KSCAN via CDF)

24
 Chapte r 3

Left: A 'clean' Z-9WZ assigned

H425. This type is comparable to the AS365N3 which featured more powerful Tur- to the former 1st LH Regiment.
bomeca Arriel 2C turboshaft (635kW/851shp) engines for improved 'hot and high' (CDF)
performances. Officially Harbin had obtained a licence and the type was certified in Right: A Z-9WZ of the former
10th LH Reg iment armed with
2002, however after the Tiananmen outrages, Eurocopter issued official objections to KD-9 ATGMs.
the decision to continue production. Eurocopter argued that the licence-production (CMA)
agreement has expired. Regardless, these later variants incorporate more composite
materials to increase structural strength and formed the basis for the next major itera-
tion of the Z-9.
Even before being largely replaced in the transport role by the Mi-l 7/-171 series,
Harbin had begun to develop armed version with small stub-pylons to carry external
armaments like ATGWs, guns and rocket pods. This type was first flown in 1987 and
first weapons tests were carried out in 1989 and this type had a small gyro stabilised,
roof-mounted optical sight installed that provides target search and tracking under
daylight conditions. In this form it entered service as the PLA Army Aviation's first
combat capable helicopter, able to carry four HJ-8 wire-guided ATGMs or two 57mm
or 90mm (2.24 or 3.54in) rocket pods. Alternatively, two 12.7mm (0.5in) machine gun
pods, or two 23mm cannon, or four TY-90 IR-guided AAMs can be carried. However,
the Z-9W - or Z-9G for export - was never a true attack helicopter or gunship and
even lacked any effective counter-measures against IR and laser guided SAMs. Any-
way, several dozens were produced between the 1990s and 2000s. In the meantime, yet The Z-9 has been t he PLA Army
another further modernised night-attack capable version was developed. Even if no Aviation's primary helicopter
for many years. Its roles
licence was granted nor any example delivered, this version called Z-9WA is broadly include util ity and training
comparable to the AS565CA Panther and was developed in 2000 featuring more pow- as well as special roles such
erful WZ-8C engines and a pair of enlarged stub wings, which can carry up to eight as communications and even
KD-8 ATGMs or PL-90AAMs. Its most characteristic feature is a redesigned larger nose battlefield surveil lance. In
the latter role, a handful of
that carries a low-light TV/IRST turret (YY-1 ?) for night missions, relocated from the Z-9BZK- 101 variants is in use.
roof to the redesigned nose. Additionally, the Z-9WA has RWR antennas installed on (CMA)
both sides of the nose, the air data sensor is installed on the starboard side of the
cabin, it has a large datalink antenna installed underneath the boom and has additional
anuour installed, providing better protection for the crew. In addition, a flare launcher,
datalink and a redesigned NVG compatible cockpit are improvements over the earlier
Z-9W. At least one Z-9WA prototype was tested with a mast-mounted millimetre wave
radar, another one was seen fitted with an IRCM device similar to the US AN/ALQ-144
system installed behind the main rotor and a few were equipped with an additional EO
turret under the stub wing for battlefield surveillance.

25
 Ch inese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

The final version is the Z-9WZ, which is powered by two uprated WZ-8H turboshafts
and features an improved fire-control system including a laser designator, which
allows the helicopter to fire the new KD-9 ATGM or FN-6 AAM. It first flew in Decem-
ber 2004, entered service with army aviation brigades in early 2005 and since 2007 the
PLAAF has taken delivery of a few examples. In the attack role, the Z-9WA and Z-9WZ
were only a stopgap until the Z-1 0/Z-19 (see below) entered service.

Changhe Aircraft Industrial Corporation (CHAIC) Z-10 Thunderbolt

For many years the PLA Army Aviation lacked a true attack helicopter and, despite the
introduction as an interim solution of several combat-capable Z-9Ws, a modern com-
bat type was urgently needed. Development began as the civil-covered China Medium
Helicopter (CHM) programme in 1994 by both the Nos 602 and 608 Research Institutes
in order to gain access to Western cooperation. Technical assistance was received
from AgustaWestland (transmission), Eurocopter (rotor design) and Pratt & Whitney
Canada (PT6C-76C engine rated 1,250kW). In addition, a secret contract was signed
with the Russian Kamov design bureau to design and verify the airframe and propul-
sion system. After this contract was fulfilled, which included wind tunnel testing the
plans were handed over to China where the prototype construction, flight testing and
further development was completed.
A preliminary concept was presented in 1995 and, following several reconsidera-
tions, full development began in 1998 at the No. 602 Institute. By then the main develop-
ment team had changed from HAMC to CHAIC. First ground tests of the rotor system
and transmission took place in 2002 and the first Z-10 prototype, which had evolved
into a type comparable to the Italian A129, first flew on 29 April 2003. Altogether eight
prototypes were built before the flights were concluded in 2008-9. During that time,
several modifications and changes were introduced, particularly those related to the
powerplant. Although the prototypes used the Canadian engine and were evaluated
by the army aviation in 2007, the serial production variant needed a new engine due
Since late 2018 some Z-10s to the embargo. Therefore a 'weight-reduced' version was developed in 2009 powered
and Z- 10Hs have been fu rther by the less powerful WZ-9 engines (around 1,000kW/1,341hp) and, having eliminated
upgraded and now feature
additional armour plates on
certain noncritical parts, structures and systems, certification was granted in October
both cockpits and around the 2010, with the first batch of pre-serial Z-l0s entering army aviation service in late 2010.
engine compartment. Additional The Z-10 follows the standard gunship helicopter configuration with a narrow fuse-
MAWS sensors were installed lage and stepped tandem cockpit with the pilot in the front seat and the gunner behind,
and the gunner is provided with
but unusually, particularly for a Kamov design, the fuselage has a stealthy diamond
a new HMD.
(CCN via CMA) shaped cross section. The cockpit itself is protected by composite armour on the bot-
tom and sides and so are the engines and the fuel tank, which is located in the center
of the fuselage. The rotor system consists of a five-blade main rotor made of compos-
ite materials and an X-style four-blade tail rotor; some reports claim that originally a
Fenestron tail rotor was planned but later abandoned. The main weapons are eight
KD-9 or KD-10 ATGMs, a 23mm PX-l0A chain gun and various rocket pods of different
calibres. Other options include PL-90 AAMs and external fuel tanks. The main sensor
is a nose-mounted PNVS and TADS (WXG1006) housing FLIR, TV camera, laser range
finder and designator as well as RWR and pulse-Doppler radar, MAWS antennas and
LHRGK003A laser warning receivers. In addition, the Z-10 is fitted with ROTAS and a

26
 Chapter 3

AZ- lOA assigned to the 73rd

LH Brigade in low-level fl ight
modern glass cockpit and it features an integrated communication/navigation system during a coastal defense
penetration exercise in April
based on INS and the Beidou satellite navigation system, a comprehensive EW system
2019.
designated YH-96, which acts as an integrated system connecting RWR, LWR, ESM and (Li Shi long via chinamil.com)
the ECM suite, IFF, chaff and flare dispensers. As standard it uses a Mil Std 1553B com-
parable data bus, which is built to Chinese GJV289A standard. Following a successful
completion of flight testing, the Z-l0A was certification in October 2010, and the first
batch entered service in late 2010, with several more being delivered since late 2011.
Three variants are so far in service with the PLA of which the improved variant
Z-lOK for the PLAAF Airborne Forces is the latest to enter service since July 2015. In
army aviation service, probably oldest variant albeit second to enter frontline units is
a variant called Z-l0H. In all likelihood, these are from the initial LRIP batch since they
are equipped with the original PNVS/TVDS system and feature the original airfran1e
configuration with a larger tail fin and other minor differences. At least one Z-1 OH was
seen with an additional IR jan1mer installed on the cockpit roof and a few were recently
modified with additional arn1our plates. The standard PLA Army Aviation serial vari-
ant Z-l0A features an improved targeting system and some are already equipped or
will be re-equipped similar to the Z-l0K with an additional sensor behind the PVDS, a
modified or even new 23mm gun and, allegedly, upgraded engines. This is anyway one
of the biggest mysteries, since the Z-10 is often rated as underpowered. The standard
WZ-9 engines are officially rated at around 1,000kW (1,341hp) and the latest export
variant Z-1 0ME being reportedly equipped with better electronics including MAWS and
new IFF, a bigger ammunition magazine with external cartridge feeding, redesigned
engine air intakes with particle separating mesh, upward facing exhausts to reduce the

27
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

IR-signature and more powerful WZ-9G engines of about l ,200kW (l ,609hp). At Zhu-
hai 2018 engine output however was listed with 956kW (l ,28lhp), which most likely
represents the standard engine. Anyway, since the Z-1 OA is in its current configuration
comparable to the TAI T-129 ATAK, which uses LHTEC CTS800-4A turboshaft (1,014
kW/ l ,36lhp) the lack of engine power might be a main reason for losing the Pakistan
A hint of a future PLA Z-10 Army requirement against the T-129 due to limitations in hot & high environments.
configuration might be provided Interesting, the China's army aviation is currently naming their helicopters after
by this Z-10ME as promoted
at Zhuhai 2018. It allegedly the nick-names of one of the 108 outlaws in the classic novel The Water Margin or
features uprated engines with Outlaws of the Marsh. This story, published in the 14th century, is probably best com-
upward facing engine exhaust parable to the story of Robin Hood and tells how a group of 108 outlaws take from
for IR reduction, redesigned the rich and give to the poor. So far, the Z-10 is one of the few aircraft officially named
air intakes with sand filters,
improved crew protection
with a nickname and it is called Fierce Thunderbolt or simply Thunderbolt (Pi Li Huo)
including additional armour after Qin Ming.
plates and a larger ammunition
magazine. The future
(Dr Heinz Berger)
Since March 2014 PLA Army Aviation Z-lOAs have been practising amphibious opera-
tions including sea-based exercises and it is therefore thought that the Z-10 could be
introduced into the PLAN Marine Corps but it remains to be seen if more Z-lOKs will
be procured by the PLAAF Since September 2018 some Z-lOAs and Z-lOHs have been
upgraded with additional external armour plates bolted on the forward and back cock-
pits as well as the engine compartment to provide a better protection against small
AAA fire. Additionally, MAWS sensors were installed on both sides of the nose and the
gunner is able to use a new HMD. In the near future the Z-10 is expected to be powered
by a rumoured uprated WZ-9G (around l,200kW/ l ,609shp) as the Z-lOME or even the
WZ-16 turboshaft engine (about l ,500kW/2,012hp), which will no longer limit is flight
performance and weapons-carrying capabilities.

Changhe Aircraft Industrial Corporation (CHAIC) Z-11 Ecureuil

In contrast to the Z-10, the Z-11 is a light utility helicopter designed for training and
liaison missions. This type was again developed by CHAIC and the No. 602 Institute
based on the French AS350BA Ecureuil (Squirrel). Altogether seven AS350BA were in
service with the PLA Army Aviation before they were retired. Development of the Z-11
A rare image or a 2-ii assigned - officially an indigenous project - begun in Hl80 and maiden flight woo ttGcompliohod
to the former Army Aviation in December 1994. Concerning the completion of flight testing, there are contradicting
Flight Training Base in the reports. While some say the Z-11 passed its certification in December 1996 and first
typical DayGlo orange-white
deliveries were made in August 1998, other reports claim the test flights were com-
scheme.
(china167 via CDF) pleted only in October 2000. The Z-11 is powered only by a single WZ-8D turboshaft
engine rated 510 kW (684hp) and overall only a limited number were produced. Alleg-
edly, only two batches are in service at the Army Aviation Training School.

The future
In order to offer the PLA a scout version similar to the US Army OH-58D Kiowa, CHAIC
developed a special variant in 2004 and dubbed Z-11 WA. This type is equipped with an
additional roof-mounted TV/FLIR turret and a NVG compatible cockpit. In contrast
to the regular Z-11, the Z-llWA can carry 57mm (2.24in) unguided rockets, a 12.7mm

28
 ..
Chapter 3

A few Z-11 s assigned to the

former Army Aviation Flight
Training Base are camouflaged
in the same brown/green/tan
colou rs.
(Top.81 Forum)

(0.5in) machine gun pod and up to four HJ-8 ATGMs. However, the project was cancelled
after CHAIC failed to attract the PLA Army Aviation. A second attempt was started in
2014, and a much-revised version called Z-11 WB flew for the first time in October 2015.
In contrast to the Z-11 WA, which was still based on the original AS350BA, the Z-11 WB
is based on the AVICOPTER AC311 light utility helicopter. Overall, the Z-llWB fea-
tures a wider fuselage, a nose-mounted EO turret and external pylons for air-to-ground
and air-to-air missiles, rocket launchers and gun pods. Since 2016, the Z-llWB is modi-
fied to carry a nose mounted weather radar and a floor-mounted machine gun. Even if
still unconfirmed, there is a chance it might eventually be acquired by the PLA armed
police for anti-terrorism purpose.

Harbin Aircraft Industrial Group (HAIG) Z-19 Black Cyclone

The Z-19 is a very special helicopter and its development is closely related to the H425
- the most modern civil Z-9 variant - which was developed into a light scout/attack
helicopter. For its combat mission, the helicopter features a completely new and much
narrower fuselage with non-retractable front landing gears, a tandem cockpit sinillar
to the standard configuration - and as such unlike to the Z-lOA - with the pilot sit-
ting in front and the gunner in the back Both crewmernbers sit on crash-resist seats
and are protected by shoulder armour plates. For the scouting role it features a nose
mounted an EO turret (FLIR, TV and laser range finder) plus RWRs. The helicopter can
also carry the same air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon package as used by the Z-9WA

Since 2013-14 the PLA has been

testing an MMW phased array
radar on top of the Z-1 9's rotor
mast, suggesting the Z- 19 and
the Z-10 might gain a capabil ity
to attack targets in adverse
weather conditions using a
modified variant of the KD-9/10
fitted with an MMW seeker.
(DS via CDF)

29
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

The Z-19 is the standard light

scout/attack helicopter and
is based on the original Z-9,
although it shares only the
transmission and tail. In this
role it is now slowly replacing
its predecessor.
(PDF)

under a pair of stub wings. The most capable weapons are up to eight KD-9 ATGMs,
PL-90 AAMs or 12. 7 or 23mm gun pods and rocket launchers. The Z-19 most likely is
still powered by the same WZ-8C engines as the H425 and the transmission and rotor
systems were reused with minor modifications in order to speed up the development.
It is not exactly known, when development started and even if rumoured since
some time, it was first identified in June 2011. Already in May 2010, the first prototype
has made its maiden flight and even if little is known concerning flight testing and
certification, one prototype reportedly crashed in September 2010. That type entered
service in 2012 and is operated alongside the heaver and more capable Z-lOA. In con-
sequence, it is used in a similar role, the US Army uses the OH-58D Kiowa and as a suc-
cessor for the Z-9WA/WZ in this role for armed reconnaissance and target designation.
Again, similar to the Z-10 also the Z-19 has an official nickname based on a character
in The Water Margin. The Z-19 is called Black Whirlwind or Black Cyclone (Rei Xuan
Feng), the nickname of Li Kui.

The future
Quite surprisingly and in contrast to the Z-10, the Z-19 was seen with at least two dif-
ferent mast mounted MMW phased array radars with slightly different shapes, one
developed by the No. 14 Institute and the other by the No. 607 Institute. It seems, as if
this type entered limited service in early 2017 - maybe as the Z-19A- which would dra-
matically enhance its combat capabilities of attacking ground targets in bad weather
or at night with an ATGW fitted with an MMW seeker. Finally, since September 2018, a
number of Z-19s have been upgraded with additional MAWS sensors on both sides of
the nose as well as armour plates attached to the forward cockpit to provide a better
protection to the pilot similar to the ones seen on the upgraded Z-l0s.

30
 Chapter 3

Joint developments and foreign

(European, Russian and US) helicopters

Harbin Aircraft Industrial Group (HAIG) HC-120 Calibri

This type of helicopter - the smallest in PLA service - originally stems from a French
requirement to develop a successor for the Aerospatiale Gazelle and Lama series. By
the late 1980s, it became an international project, which was jointly developed by
Eurocopter, HAIG and the Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (STAero).
It is a five-seat, single-engine light utility helicopter primary used for training and
powered by a 335kW (449shp) Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engine. The European
variant was called EC120 or now Hl20 and the Chinese version is designated HC-120. The Sino-European Colibri
First flight occurred in June 1995 and production started in 1998. The Chinese produc- - here as Chi nese HC-120
tion started a bit alter and this helicopter is manufactured locally at Harbin since 2004. 'LH90872' - is currently the
An initial batch of eight HC-120 were ordered in 2004 and delivered to the Army most modern PLA Army Aviation
training helicopter.
Aviation Training School by the end of 2005 (serial number LH908xx) and currently 34 (via CMA)
are in service, where they have completely replaced the aging SA316 fleet to train new
pilots. Allegedly 58 were ordered altogether and besides the PLA Army, several local
police forces have purchased this helicopter.

Mil Mi-17/-Mi-171
(ASCC 'Hip') 1

Surely the most important tactical transport helicopter - at least by numbers - in PLA
service is the Mi-17 and Mi-171 of which several variants have been in service with the
PLA Army Aviation, since 1991. Even in mind of its widespread use, several issues of
its background and status is still far from clear and depending sources, the information
vary in regard the numbers acquired, the variants purchase, the dates and numbers of
orders anct' especially concerning a reported licenced production line.
Following the most detailed account2 on the different Mi-17/-171 versions in PLA
service, at least nine different subtypes - not including the few original Mi-8, which
are all long retired. The original Mi-8s, aka TV2-ll 7 powered ones were solely oper-
ated by the Army. Usually they belonged to the civil administration and were used
for army officials transportation but in civilian livery, so that today altogether about
340 examples are operational: Mi-17, Mi-171, Mi-171 civilian type, Mi-17-l V, Mi-17V-5,
Mi-171 (new batch), Mi-17V-7, Mi-17V-7 VIP transport type and fmally the latest Mi-
171E. Most important to know in order to avoid any additional confusion, is that the
Mi-17 and Mi-171 evolved as improved export variants of the latest Mi-8MT utility and
transport variants, originally developed by the Russian Mil Design Bureau in the 1960s.
In order to cope with the high demand for the own forces but also for the export
market, the type evolved into several often similar but otherwise in details different
types, which were produced by the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (Mi-17 and Mi-171); and by
the Kazan Helicopter Plant JSC (Mi-l 7V-5 and Mi-l 7V-7).

31
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Main reason for the purchase of this type was the arms embargo following the Tian-
anmen riots and US refusal to sell more than the already 24 delivered S-70C-2 Black
Hawks. Consequently, in order to replace the numerous and obsolete Z-5s in service,
the PLA decided to place an initial order for 24 Mi-17-Vl in 1990, which were deliv-
ered in 1991 and 15 more regular Mi-171 followed between 1999 and 2000. Of these
early variants, most were later brought to a common standard including IFF, ASO-
2V chaff/flare dispensers and external pylons able to carry 12.7mm (0.5in) machine
gun pods, 57mm or 68mm (2.24 or 2.68in) unguided rocket launchers/pods, 2501500kg
(551/1,102lb) bombs, TY-90 air-to-air missiles, and fuel tanks. Overall, they are quite
similar to their Russian Army counterparts or exports, but they lack the typical cockpit
armour plates, the nose machine gun or any sort of engine exhaust IR suppressors.
In PLA Army Aviation service, this type became the backbone of the transport fleet
due to being cheap, robust and versatile for personnel/cargo transport and airmobile
and assault operations, close air support, mine laying, airborne command post, medi-
cal evacuation, and search and rescue roles surely since there was nothing else avail-
able. Furthennore, it was easy to be modernised during its service career. Reportedly,
several Mi-171 received an MLU upgrade by the addition of a search light, an FLIR
turret, weather radar and direction finder for SAR missions. Several more received
a domestic IR jammer as well as flare dispenser to protect the helicopter from MAN-
pADS. Also a few Mi-171 were noted with an additional SATCOM antenna installed on
top of the tail boom and at least one - probably acting in the communication jamming
role - is equipped with several blade antennas on top and beneath the cockpit, on the
rear boom and with an hemispherical antenna installed beneath the fuselage. In recent
years, some Mi-171s were upgraded with MAWS and RWR installed on the nose and
tail boom.

Besides using it as a regular

transport, the PLA Army
Aviation uses a few ded icated
Mi- 171 s for special roles. This
one is fitted with a retractabl e
radar for battlefield survei llance.
'LH992799' is assigned to the
72nd LH Brigade.
(Zhangh ui via CDF)

32
 Chapter 3

Special mission Mi-171

Quite a unique special mission variant is a dedicated battlefield surveillance variant.
In this role, a few Mi-l 71s were equipped with a retractable battlefield surveillance
radar (maybe designated KLC-11). This installation is quite similar to the French sys-
tem installed in the AS532UL Horizon battlefield surveillance helicopter. Other differ-
ences to the standard Mi-171 are a SATCOM antenna installed on top of the tail boom,
a pair of blade communication antennas underneath the nose and external fuel tanks
as standard to make room for the additional equipment and crews.

Improved variants - Mi-17V-5N-7

About four years after the first order, another batch of 60 improved Mi-17V-5s were Some Mi-17V-7s have been
ordered in 1995 and delivered in 1996-97 and yet 35 more Mi-17V-5s, featwing an addi- modified with an IR tu rret,
tional weather radar developed by No. 607 Institute under the nose were ordered ot hers with a terrain-following
radar or a searchlight mounted
between 2002 and 2003. So, with the beginning of the new century, the PLA Army
under the cabin. Others received
Aviation introduced the Mi-17V-5 built by the Kazan Helicopter Plant JSC and not Ulan a Beidou antenna on top of
Ude. Again, some contradictions remain, since officially the Mi-17V-5 was already the the tail boom. Some, like this
model to be delivered in 1996-7 but some say, only in 2001 the new model standard was exa mple from the former 4nd
introduced. Anyway, for the first time this new variant departed from the well-known LH Brigade, have been upgraded
with a SATCOM antenna on top
external appearance of the older generations - which are sometimes named 'Hippos' of th e tail boom.
in China - since it introduced a reprofiled front section, which is known as the 'Dol- (via CMA)
phin nose'.
Another external change is the addition of a single hydraulically operated loading
rarnp replacing the former two side-hinging clan1shell doors and also the two sliding
doors on both sides of the cabin ( extra doors were added on the right side, while
r.he left door were doubled by its width) were enlarged for quicker troop disembar-
kation and easier access. Especially the ramp can load a vehicle up to the size of a
UV. Less visible but nonetheless an important improvement were two uprated TV3-
ll 7VM engines (1,640kW/2,200hp, as already on the Mi-8MTV-l) and anew Czech Saffr
5KG (only on Mi-17V-7) auxiliary power unit (APU) mounted on the end of engine bay
replacing the original Russian Al-9V, and flat rear fuselage ran1p for easier access.
Officially, all these were imported from Russia via China United Airline for 'civil-
ian purpose'. Complementing the Mi-17V-5s, this expanded with the order of 25 new
:.\li-17V-7 again built by Kazan in 2003/04. Often reported, the most important change
ro the previous V5 variant is said to be a yet again more powerful VK-2500 engine
l. 789kW/2,400hp) with full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) and greater pay-
load and range, however the VK-2500 was not introduced on Mi-17V-7 - the engine was
certified few years after the helicopter delivery. They are better suited to high-altitude
work in Tibet and for 'hot and high' conditions at altitudes up to 6,000m (19,685ft) due
ro the Safir APU, which allows engine starts in altitude over 4,500m (14,764ft) above
:eal level plus the TV3-117VM engines are tuned for a higher engine output.
In PLA Army service, several Mi-17V-5s and V-7s were upgraded to carry external
pylons comparable to the older Mi-171 to carry rocket launchers and fuel tanks. A
:e,y Mi-17V-5 are also capable to carry not only rocket pods but also to fire the KD-9
ATGM; this local modification included a new cockpit instrumentation and allegedly,
r.hey are called unofficially Mi-171G. In addition, several Mi-17-V7s are in service for
all-weather SAR purpose, featuring an additional FLIR turret, a weather radar and a
: arch light mounted under the cabin as well as a Beidou antenna on top of the tail

33
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

A Mi-17V-5 assigned to the

former 3rd LH Regiment
within t he Xinjiang MD. This
unit now is the Xi njiang LH
Brigade.
(Eagle via CDF)

boom plus Breeze HS-29990 rescue hoist. The pilots are equipped with NVGs. Finally,
some received a prominent SATCOM antenna on top of the tail and/or MAWS and RWR
antennas mounted on both sides of the nose.

Mi-171E
The final variant, which entered service in 2006, is the newly redesigned Mi-l 71E. Even
if externally similar in configuration to the Mi-17V-5, the Mi-l 71E is a model from Ulan
Ude plant, and has nothing to do with the Mi-l 7V-5/7. It was ordered on request from
the PLAAF, to enable operations at higher altitudes including mountainous terrain.
The externally most visible difference to the Mi-l 7V-5/7 series is the shape of the small
glass on the sides of the 'dolphin' nose, which is slightly different (smaller). Comple-
menting the regular transport variant a few VIP models were imported, which carry
two fuel tanks externally in contrast to the usually internally installed tanks for the
transport version.
Similar to the KD-9 capable Mi-171 Gs, they feature more modern cockpit instru-
mentation in form of a large digital moving map display. Again, some have a SATCOM
antenna installed on top of the tail boom, while several more were re-equipped with a
Beidou/GPS antenna installed on top of the tail boom ahead of the tail rotor.
Overall, it seems as if in recent years all Mi-1 7/171/17lEs have been upgraded with
a pair of communication antennas on top of and beneath the boom and even some
Mi-l 71Es are armed with a 12.7mm (0.5in) machine gun for suppressing 'soft targets'
on the ground through the side loading door. In total, China signed contracts with
Rosobomexport between 2006 and 2014 for 165 Mi-171E.3

34
 Chapter 3

An interesting image showing a

Licence production and the future Mi-17V-7 Salon VIP transport
For several years it seemed as if also a licence production manufacturing was planned with its typical darker colours
in front of severa l Mi-171 E. All
for the Mi-171, however comparable to several other Sino-Russian agreements, the
are assigned to the fo rmer 3rd
state of information from both sides is rather limited and often enough more con- LH Regiment withi n th e Xinj iang
tradicting than conclusive. Therefore - as with the Su-35 deal - the Russian media MD.
was quite openly talking this deal, its plans and ambitions, whereas the Chinese side (CDF)
was more secret about this deal. From what is known via the most reliable sources,
it seems by now that both Russia and China have been negotiating on a joint venture
for localization of assembly of the Russian helicopters for several years, but that the
'Sichuan Lantian Helicopter Company' ( IZY )ii ~j:_j_ :JttJL~ ~rV~-a'J Lantian = 'Blue Sky'
in English) was only a short-lived joint venture between the Russians and the PLAAF
No. 5701 Factory (military-equipment repair plant). Following the original plans, at
least 20 helicopters - including the Mi-171, only Mi-171 aka SL-30 - were to be assem-
bled in 2008 from CKD kits supplied by the Russian plant in Ulan-Ude; later this was
to be increased to a production capacity of up to 80 helicopter in total - it was just
assembly, no parts production. Even if there were a few reports showing a signing cer-
emony between Qingdao Helicopter Ltd and Lantian for the purchase of five Chinese-
assembled Mi-171s it is not clear if all five were delivered nor if anymore were ordered.
Quite contradicting, an alleged maiden flight of the first Chinese-assembled Mi-171 was
reported in the Chinese media in December 2007, and the first two Mi-171s (B-7833 and
'7834) were even delivered to Qingdao Helicopter Aviation Co on 16 December 2009.
However, it is known, that Qingdao purchased eight Mi-171s in 2018 (?) direct from
Russia, leading to the assumption, that Lantian is most likely defunct.
One reason for this might be, that even after Lantian began assembling Mi-1 71s in
2009, the PLA most likely soon lost interest due to the progress on both indigenous
helicopter programs, namely the Z-SG/L and Z-20, which in the end led to a shift in
priorities and resources. In essence, the only reports concerning a production of 20
helicopters in 2008 came from Russian sources which are most often prone to overop-
timistic predictions; in fact, predictions which rarely become reality or at least often
not soon enough or in numbers as predicted. In essence it seems as if the production

35
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

assembly line worked since it was technologically equal to the general overhaul, which
is regularly performed in China, however it can be seriously doubt, Lantian started
assembly in 2008 nor did they ever deliver 20 helicopters, so that in the end, at least all
PLA operated 'Hips' are Russian-built examples.
As mentioned already, the PLA Army Aviation will surely operate its huge fleet of
Mi-17s and Mi-171s for many years to come, but in the longer tem1, this family will be
replaced by the new Z-8G/L and Z-20.

Summary ofMi-17/-171 orders

Year Mi-171 variant Numbers
1991 Mi- 17-Vl 24
1996-1997 Mi- 17V- 5 60
1999- 2000 Mi-171 15
2002- 2003 Mi-17V-5 35
2003 - 2004 Mi-17V-7 25
2007-2009 Mi-171 E 57
2006-2007 Mi-171E 24
2010-2011 Mi-171E 32
2012 -2014 Mi-171E 52

Mil Mi-26
(ASCC 'Halo')

The Mil Mi-26 is the world's largest and most capable heavy transport helicopter and
quite special in this chapter since it is - even if some sources state otherwise - not
directly operated by the PLA. It started life as the Izdeliye 90 in the late 1970s to trans-
port military equipment ofup to 13 tons (29,000 lb), which were usually only transporta-
ble by military transport aircraft like the Antonov An-22 or the Ilyushin 11-76. It first flew
in December 1977, development was completed in 1983, and it entered service by 1985.
Even if there are reports since years, that the PLA Army Aviation might acquire that
type to replace their long-retired Mi-6 (ASCC 'Hook') and some sources persistently
report that the PLA Army Aviation already operates that type, there are currently only

Altogether four Mi-26TS are

flying under civil reg istration
in China, as demonstrated
by B- 7803, operated by the
Qingdao Helicopter co mpany.
(WarHawk911119 via CDF)

36
 Chapter 3

four Mi-26TS in service within two civil operators. In case of emergency however they
surely would be used in the military role. The Mi-26TS are uprated civil variants of the
military Mi-26 produced since 1985.
Current commercial operators in China are China Flying Dragon Aviation, which
operates three (B-7802, B-7807, B-70FW) helicopters and the Qingdao Helicopter avia-
tion company, which operates one (B-7803). Besides offering special heavy load trans-
portation, they were used in the clear-up operation following the two earthquakes in
China's Sichuan province in 2008 and 2013, where these helicopters ensured a rapid
response by transporting numerous military and search and rescue crews to the
affected sites, delivering heavy construction machinery, equipment and materials, and
also evacuating large numbers of people.
In the future they are to be replaced by the AHLH.

Sikorsky S-70C-2 Black Hawk

The Black Hawk in PLA Army Aviation service is one unique type, since its purchase
was initiated during the brief Sino-US honeymoon phase before the arms embargo
that began in 1989. Altogether 24 Sikorsky S-70C-2s were bought in 1985 especially
for troop transportation and SAR in Tibet and the Xinjiang region, due to their excel-
lent high-altitude performance. They are officially called civil S-70C-2, even if they are
de facto a fully military variants equipped with a nose-mounted weather radar and
upgraded T700-GE-701A engines (l ,285kW/l ,723hp). The Chinese Black Hawks can
also be equipped with shoulder-mounted stub wings, which are quite different to the
US wings. They are able to carry four external fuel tanks to increase range, however
they are rarely seen. Additionally, some are equipped with flare dispensers and internal
12.7mm (0.5in) machine guns when flying logistical missions along the disputed Sino-
Indian border and in recent years, the remaining Black Hawks have been upgraded
with a Chinese communication set including a pair of blade antennas on top of and
beneath the boom as well as two white bar-shaped antennas on the side of the boom.
Following the Tiananmen riots in 1989 and the resulting embargo, the PLA faced
a dire shortage of spare parts and consequently several are thought to be grounded

The S-70C-2s are praised in

PLA service for their excellent
performance at high altitudes
in Tibet and Xinjiang, especially
during rescue operations during
the Sichuan earthquake in 2018.
(WC via CDF)

37
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Ai rcraft and Units

and their parts dispersed to keep a small fleet operational. Also, there have been some
reports that China obtained certain spare parts from US for the purpose of 'humanitar-
ian missions' like the Sichuan earthquake but this has not been confirmed. However, it
seems that Changhe has managed to overhaul the helicopter in addition to being able
to re-manufacturing several of the parts, so that the level of readiness has increased
in recent years. Regardless, the S-70C-2 has been largely replaced by the Russian
Mi-17-V7/171Es, which are available in much larger numbers, also since at least three
were lost due to their service in the harsh high-altitude environment.

Future helicopters

Harbin Aircraft Industrial Group (HAIG) Z-20

For the future, the most important type which is just entering service as the PLA Army
Aviation's future medium-weight helicopter to replace several older types is the 10-ton
Z-20. Initiated at around the end of the 1990s at No. 602 Institute, Harbin and Changhe
the Z-20, possibly to be named Cloud-entering Dragon, has been under development as
a new generation multi-purpose helicopter in the 10-ton class. Quite interesting - and
eventually politically controversial again - this in itself not unusual platform is based
on the US S-70C-2 Black Hawk, of which China has acquired 24 examples in 1985 and
which is still in PLA service. Development of the Z-20 was once closely linked with the
Z-10 combat helicopter and began originally as the 'China medium helicopter' (CMH).
Therefore, it was reportedly planned that both types should share the same propul-
sion, gearbox/transmission and rotor systems.
However, due to requirement priorities and technical issues, it was decided to give
the development of the Z-10 combat type a higher priority and - probably especially
since no suitable engine as a replacement for the T700-GE-701A was available - the
The best images of the Z-20 so transport derivate Z-20 was put aside. Its development was only restarted in earnest
far were leaked In August 2018,
at around 2010, which ultimately resulted in some significant alterations to its 'Black
when that type visited a regular
PLA Army Aviation base, in this Hawk-predecessor'. First of all, the Z-20 now features a new five-bladed main rotor
case the home of the 71 st LH similar to the Z-10 and also the tail including landing gear and tail rotor features several
Brigade at Chenguzhuangcun. noticeable changes. In addition, the front section appears to be different and probably
(via hahohanfw.cn)
the hull is a bit wider making the machine overall somewhat heavier than an S-70. This
once again led back to the propulsion-question since no indigenous engine of suitable
performance is not available in China. Consequently - and here sharing a common
feature on all three 20-programs - all current prototypes should again use an unknown
interim engine until the final WZ-10 turboshaft (of approximately 1,S00kW) is ready.
Reports about these engines are ranging from two Canadian PT6C-76C or even Rus-
sian engines like the TV3-117VM.
Besides that, the Z-20 shares several features of a modern transport helicopter,
including a 'glass cockpit' with five large displays and a FLIR sensor. Several proto-
types also show a prominent SATCOM dome on the tail, several chaf£1flare dispensers
on the rear fuselage and additional sensors, which are most likely RWR, MAWS and
LWR and a Beidou/GPS antenna around the fuselage and tail.

38
 Chapter 3

The success of the S-?0C-2

led to development of an
indigenous, reverse-engineered
and radically redesigned Black
Hawk, which is due to enter as
the Z-20.
(PDF)

Following completion of the first prototype numbered '20001 ' in December 2012 the
maiden flight took place about one year later on 23 December 2013; what is a nearly 30
years after China received its initial delivery of Black Hawks. Besides that, not much
is known concerning the Z-20 other than that at least four prototypes are flying at
the CFTE in Xi'an-Yanliang, cold-temperature tests were accomplished in February
2015 at Mohe Gulian, in the Heilongjiang province. Since then these prototypes are
undergoing operational evaluation for the PLA Army Aviation. Following the latest
reports from April 2018, LRIP was initiated and were confirmed being assigned to the
Army Aviation Corps in May 2019 and that the WZ-10 turboshaft engine has been tested
onboard a Z-20. As mentioned for the Z-10 and Z-19, which have received official nick-
names recently, the Z-20 is most likely named as 'Cloud-entering Dragon' (Ruyunlong).
Overall, it is planned that the Z-20 in the longer term will replace the original S-70C-2
as well as the Russian Mi-17 and Mi-171 and complement the slightly larger and heavier
Z-8G. Reportedly, several more dedicated specialised variants are planned, including
a naval version.

Other projects
The current status of the AC352
Besides the Z-20, there are at least three more projects, which could find their way for the military is still unclear.
into PLA Army Aviation service. One of them is already in-flight testing and two more It seems as if the previously
are under development: the first one might be a version of the seven-ton AVIC AC352 proposed Z-15 lost priority
against other types Ii ke the
medium-weight utility helicopter jointly developed with Airbus Helicopters as the
Z-BG and Z-20.
Hl 75/and HAIG. This type started development in early 2008 as the ECl 75 and Z-15 (CDF)
and evolved later - after Eurocopter became Airbus Helicopters and the Chinese civil
helicopter business was merged as Avicopter - into the Hl 70 and AC352. In contrast to
the European type, which is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67E tur-
boshaft engines (l,325kW/1,775shp), the Chinese variant uses two Safran - formerly
Turbomeca Ardiden 3C, which are locally built as the WZ-16 (up to 1,342kW/1,800shp)
turboshaft engines. While the Hl 70 already flew in December 2009, the AC352 has just
performed its first flight in December 2016.
The second is the so called Advanced Heavy-Lift Helicopter (AHLH), which is under
consideration since 2009 and for which China and Russia signed an agreement in mid-

39
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircra ft and Units

2015 to co-develop a true heavy lift helicopter comparable to the Sikorsky CH-53K.
This twin engined type, which was at first said to be based on an improved Mi-26
should have a maximum take-off weight of 38.2 tons (84,217lbs). However even in 2018
nothing concrete is known and this type seems to be still in preliminary design.
And finally, there are reports since September 2015 suggesting that a next genera-
tion heavy attack helicopter in the same class of US AH-64 and Russian Mi-28 is to be
under development at No. 602 Institute in order to replace the Z-10. However, nothing
more is known.
Otherwise, there are also reports discussing that China has begun to develop the
Based on its performance next generation stealth helicopter more comparable to the US RAH-66 Comanche,
parameters, t he future which could replace the Z-9WA/WZ and Z-19. If this is in fact the same project, which
Advanced Heavylift He li copter evolved from the heavy attack helicopter or another, smaller one is unclear, but none
is compa rab le to the CH-53K.
of them would fly before 2020.
According to the latest
reports, a co ntract as not yet
been signed but it is expected Table of helicopters currently in PLA Army Aviation use
to enter service in 2032. Type role Service entry No (est.)
(Dr Heinz Berger)
SA321 Ja/Z-8 Tra nsport Late 1970s/ 1980s 7

Z-8A/B Transpo rt 2002/ 9/85 (?)

Z-8G Transport 2005/06 20 - 30, i/p
AS565SA/ Late 1980s/ (?)
Liaison, misce llaneous
Z- 9A/B 2003/04 24/12
Z- 9WA/WZ Attack and reconnaissance 2002 (7)/2005 140-1 50*
Z-l 0A Attack 2010 140-1 50, i/p
Z- lOH Attack 2010 12 (?)
Z-1 1 Tra ining 1998 46-50
Z-18A/ Transport/
2012/13 ?
Z- 8WSJ fire fight ing
Z-1 9/Z-1 9A Attack and reconnaissance 2012 140-1 50, i/p
Z-20 Tra nsport 2019 5, i/p
Mi- 17V-1 Tra nsport 199 1 24
Mi -1 71 Transport 1999 15
M i-1 7V-5 Transport 1996 + 2001/02 95
Mi - 17V-7 Trans port 2003/04 25
Mi-17 1E Transport 2006/07 165 (8)
Mi-26TS Transport 2007 (?) (4)
HC-1 20 Trai ning 2005 34 (58 on order), i/p
S-70C-2 Tra nspo rt 1985 21

* pending source, up to 250

40
 Chapter 3

Support, transport and liaison aircraft

The PLA Anny Aviation operates a small number of different types for support, surveil-
lance and transport. Somewhat remarkably, the Y-5, a licenced version of the Antonov
An-2, was never used by the force, and the current three most important types are
members of the Y-7, Y-8 and Y-9 family.

Xi'a n (XAC) Y- 7
(ASCC 'Coke' and 'Curl')

For the transport role and similar to the Naval Aviation, the PLA Army Aviation uses
a few Y-7, which is developed as a licenced version of the Antonov An-24. First flown
in December 1970, its development was long delayed and in the mid-1980s XAC initi-
ated a modernisation program, which resulted in the improved Y-7-100 which featured
In contrast to the licence-
wingtip winglets. Also available since the late 1980s is the tactical transport version
manufactured An-24, which is
Y-7H, which was developed in as an unlicensed variant of the Antonov An-26 incorpo- in service as the Y-7- 100, the
rating the pressurised fuselage and the rear cargo ramp. The first Y-7H made its maiden Y-7H tactical transport is an
flight in 1989 and it entered service with the PLA in the late 1990s. The army aviation un licenced development of the
An-26.
uses both variants for transport duties.
(Top.Bl Forum)
Latest addition of the Y-7-family is the MA-60, which is originally a civil medium
transport aircraft. In military use it is known as the Y-7G and mainly used as a VIP
transport, but this type is not yet confirmed in army aviation service.

Shaa nxi (SAAC) Y-8 and Y-9

(ASCC 'Cub')

Again comparable to the Naval Aviation, the Y-7 is complemented in PLA Army Avia-
tion service in the transport role by the Y-8, which is based on the original Antonov
An-12. The Y-8C performed its maiden flight in December 1990 and is the sole type
The Y-9s in Army Aviation
in army aviation service. Based on that version, Shaanxi has since developed several
service do not seem to differ
special versions like the Y-8H aerial survey and photography variant and several dedi- fro m their PLAAF counterpa rts,
cated special mission types. However, all aircraft in army aviation use are standard alth ough they wear a more
transports. Finally, the Y-8 evolved into the Y-8F600 (Category III) which ultimately civil-like scheme. They are
sometimes ca lled the Y-9A or
became the Y-9.
even Y-9LH.
The Y-9 is the latest development of the venerable Shaanxi Y-8 family and was (CMA)
develop as a next generation mid-size and medium-range tactical transport aircraft to
supersede the Y-8C since the late 1990s. It is a completely redesigned variant and de
facto a new aircraft. It first flew in 2010 and entered service with the PLAAF in 2012.
The Army Aviation Corps received their own Y-9 - sometimes called Y-9A or Y-9LH -
in late 2016 and early 2017.

41
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Table of transport aircraft currently in PLA Army Aviation use

Type role Service entry No (est.}
XAC Y-7 Tactica l transport La t e 1980s ? (4)
XACY-7H Tactica l transport Late 1980s ? (4)
SAACY-8C Tactical transport Mid 1990s 4
SAACY-9A Tactica I transport Lat e 2016 2-4

The PLA Army Aviation uses a

handful of both Y-7 variants:
the Y- 7 without rear-l oad ing
ramp but with winglets is called
the Y-7-100, while the tactical
transport version incorporating
a pressurised fuselage and rear
cargo ramp is known as the Y-7H.
(Tommey via CDF)

Like the PLA Naval Aviation, the

PLA Army Avi ation uses some
regula r Y-8Cs. Al l fixed-wing
aircraft were assigned to the
former 4th LH Brigade organ ic
to LH Headquarters and are now
with the 81 st LH Brigade.
(CDF)

42
 Chapter 3

UAV/UCAVs
As noted in the Naval Aviation book, 'Similar to the USA, within the last decade
the operational use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in FLA-service was ever
increasing; from their initial use for reconnaissance not only their mission spec-
trum evolved more and more into intelligence gathering, covert aerial surveillance
and precision air strikes via air-to-ground missiles. In the same way their opera-
tional use was expanded, also their size, complexity and autonomy were increased;
and China did not only follow this trend led by the USA and Israel. The latest devel-
opments and systems already under test are yet another prooffor this development.'
However, their use in the Army Aviation Corps is much lesser documented and under-
stood than for the PLAAF or Naval Aviation. That is most of all related to the fact that
they are differently organised: it is known that the PLAAF operates them in regular
UAV brigades or in TC-HQ subordinated brigades. The Naval Aviation has dedicated
flights or daduis often closely related to regular former regiments - or now maybe
brigades - but this is unconfirmed for the PLA Army Aviation.
Concerning the PLA Army - or Ground Forces as they are correctly named - UAVs
are usually operated by specialist units (such as {r!r 11-f; a UAV unit within the recon-
naissance battalion organic to a regular army division), which are subordinated to the
larger manoeuvre units (such as TfLffe Yifl).
Operational systems include a certain number of very different variants of sev-
eral smaller UAVs - comparable to hand-held drones and quadcopters - but also the
BZK-006, BZK-007 and BZK-008 are definitely in widespread service. All these larger
UAVs are frequently featured in the state media and PLA troops report, which openly
discuss on how they are used to provide improved combat performance over tradi-
tional methods. A typical example is not only reconnaissance but also damage assess-
ment of PHL--03 multiple rocket launcher (MRL) strikes, which is much more accurate
and completed in less time using UAVs. Other missions at troop level often mentioned
are general reconnaissance, artillery forward-observation, and electronic warfare.
Consequently, even if the Ground Forces are known to operate several different
UAVs, they are generally operated by their corresponding specialist units and not by
dedicated PLA Army Aviation UAV brigades. In essence, if the situation concerning
Chinese military aircraft is often already confusing enough, the san1e is even more so
on UAV developments and especially for this branch. Mentioned are therefore only the
most important systems:

Northwest Polytechnic University (NWPU) BZK-006A

The first tactical reconnaissance UAV in widespread service within the PLA Army is
the BZK-006, which is also known as the WZ-6A or K/JWR6A. As a lightweight medium-
range UAV, it is launched off a truck via rocket-assisted take-off (RATO), it lands with
a parachute and is a development of the earlier ASN-206/207 general purpose recon-
naissance-platform developed during the mid-1990s. It is fitted with a retractable tur-
ret, housing FLIR/CCD cameras for day/night missions but it can also carry a small
ground surveillance radar as well. Communication is facilitated via a characteristic
'mushroom' shaped antenna on top of the head section to provide real-time datalink

43
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

between the UAV and the ground command and control station. The BZK-006A is pow-
ered by a four-cylinder piston engine and has an endurance of 12 hours.
Besides the regular reconnaissance variant, there are also specialised versions
available for artillery directing, communications jamming and relay, as a decoy or ECM
and for radar januning.

Guizhou (GAAC) and BUAA BZK-007 Sunshine

In contrast to the Naval Aviation and PLAAF, where the larger BZK-005 UAV is com-
plemented by the smaller BZK-007, this medium altitude/long endurance (MALE) UAV
is actually one of the largest UAVs in army service. Co-developed by GAAC and BUAA
in the early 2000s, this UAV - looking like an unmanned small sports-plane - had its
first flight in August 2005 at first as a civilian remote sensoring system called 'Harrier
Clear images of operationa l Hawk'. Later it was introduced into PLA Army and PLA Naval Aviation service as a
BZK-007s were only released
tactical reconnaissance UAV carrying a variety of equipment including FLIR, CCD TV
in early 2019. Th e exact
unit is unknown and their camera, as well as remote sensors of different spectral bands. This UAV is powered by
seria l number system not yet a piston engine driving a three-blade propeller.
understood. This is '0208'.
(CC1V 7 via PDF)

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)

BZK-008

The BZK-008 is a quite new small tactical reconnaissance UAV, which entered service
within the PLA Army in 2011 but is now also in service within the Naval Aviation and
PLAAF It takes off via RATO and features a retractable EO turret containing FLIR and
CCD cameras for both day and night missions.
Similarly rare are images
showing the new BZK-008,
a slightly smaller type
complementing operational
assets between the BZK-006
and hand-la unched UAVs.
(CCN 7 via PDF)

Sharing a similar configuration,

the BZK-006 is slightly larger
but uses rocket-assisted take off
(RATO) and parachute landing.
(PDF)

44
 Chapt~r 3

Sma Iler systems

Northwest Polytechnic University (NWPU) ASN-15

The ASN-15 is a development of the original ASN-1 UAV. Developed the Northwestern
Polytechnical University UAV Research Institute or No. 365 Institute as a lightweight,
hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicle it is used for battlefield reconnaissance and
surveillance, routine patrol and search and rescue; similar to the US Pointer system.
With a weight of only 6kg (131b) it is hand-launched, and a complete system consists
of three air vehicles, a ground-control station, a remote-control transmitter and a video
receiver. Recovery is via parachute or gliding. It is fitted with a CCD camera and trans- The ASN-1 5 is apparently a
first-generation hand- held/-
mits the image data to the ground station via datalink in real-time. launched UAV. In PLA Army
Aviation service it is now
complemented or even replaced
East China Research Institute of Electronic Engineeri ng (ECRIEE) by the more modern CH-802.
(CDF)
JY-203

Similar to the other truck-launched UAVs in operational terms, the JY-203 system is
nonetheless entirely different. Developed by the ECRIEE, this is a lightweight, short-
range, tactical multi-purpose UAV. Its reconnaissance system is not based on CCD
cameras or FLIR, but on a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensor operating in the Ku-
band to provide information in a different spectrum to those of optical sensors operat-
ing in the visible and IR regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
The JY-203 provides information using on-board real-time imaging and data storage.
Usually, the JY-203 is transported and rocket-launched by a 6x6 flat-bed truck; it lands
using a parachute.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-1

The CH-1-aka Cai Hong (Rainbow) - is a medium-range tactical UAV (Unmanned Aer-
ial Vehicle) designed and manufactured by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerody-
namics of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), also known
as No. 11 Academy of CASC or No. 701 Research Institute. It is a fixed-wing in twin-
boom design with two small tails, powered by a two-blade propeller engine mounted at
Another little known small
the rear end of the fuselage. The CH-1 is launched via a tactical military truck mounted
UAV is the CH- 1. In contrast
catapult with rocketed assisted take-off; it uses a parachute for autonomous landing. to the BZK series, this drone is
Designed in 2000 as an aerial reconnaissance and surveillance UAV, it is equipped with camouflaged.
a CCD camera/FLIR. (PDF)

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)

CH - 802

Even smaller than the CH-1 is the CH-802, which is a conventional fixed wing micro
air vehicle (MAV) with a high-wing configuration and V-tail atop a cylindrical fuselage.

45
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

The UAV is a hand-held/-launched UAV, that is powered by a tractor brushless electric

motor atop of the fuselage driving a two-blade propeller. It lands on parachute. Devel-
opment started in in 2007 and was completed in 2008.

Table of UAV/UCAVs currently estimated to be in PLA Army Aviation use

Type role Service entry No (est.)
NTU BZK-006 Ta ctical reconnaissance 2011 n/k
GAAC/BUAA BZK-007 Tactical reconna issance 2005? n/k
GASC BZK-008 Tactical reconnaissance 201 1 n/k

Complementing the lower end

of the different UAV types in
service, the CH-802 is a smal l To PLAAF addendum Et corrections
hand-held/-launched UAV.
(CDF)

Northwest Polytechnic University (NTU) Harpy/JWS01 4

Quite a unique system in PLA service is the Harpy or in Chinese service JWS0l, which
is in fact not a true UAV or ACAV but more a loitering munition. Originally developed
and produced as the IAI Harpy by Israel Aerospace Industries in the early 1990s, it
was designed as a dedicated long-range system to attack radar systems optimised for
the SEAD role. For this role it has a passive radar homing seeker has a range of about
500km (311 miles), can reach a maximum speed of 1851an/h (115mph) at a flight alti-
tude of 4,000m (13, 123ft) and carries a 32kg (711b) warhead attacking ground radar sta-
tions in 'kamikaze' style. The Harpy is powered by UEL an AR731 Wankel rotary engine
(28kW/38hp) and usually one Harpy launch truck carries nine to 18 box launchers.
The first 100 Harpies were originally acquired secretly via Israel in 1994 for around
USD55 million and this became only known to the West in 2004 when the PLA tried
to upgrade them in Israel. This attempt was unveiled and subsequently blocked by
the US government, but anyway all Harpies were returned to China, even without any
upgrades. Since April 2011 it is known that China has developed an indigenous version
For some time it was unclear if now called JWS0l or K/JWF-1. This reverse-engineering project led by the Northwest
the IAI Harpy and ind igenous
JWS01 UAVs were operated by
Polytechnic University (NTU) most likely started around 2005 and required the devel-
the PLA Ground Forces or the opment of an own engine since the British engine supplier revoke its agreement with
PLAAF - they now seem to be the Chinese. Following the sparse information available, it entered the test phase in
operated by PLAAF. July 2007-8.
(CCN-1 via CDF)
In contrast to the original IAI Harpy, the launch vehicle now carries only six or
nine launchers instead of the original 18 and it seems as if different seekers are avail-
able. Known are at least two different ones with slightly different sizes - sometimes
called Type I & Type II - have been noted so far. If they are aimed for homing different
frequencies is not yet known. However, given the information released for the export
variant called ASN-301, the radar h01ning seeker has a search range of 25km (16 miles)
and a frequency coverage of 2-lSGHz.
Also, the JWS0 1 differs to a Harpy by two additional pairs of retractable direction-
finding blade antennas - some say these are merely for improving the aerodynamic
performance in the terminal phase - pointing straight above and below the main body
and some sources claim that the Chinese variant features an additional data link with

46
 Chapter 3

the ground-based command units, allowing them to intervene and regain control of
the drone if necessary. Allegedly this was made possible by the addition of an optronic
sequence, capable of returning the visual data to the ground comparable to the Harpy's
successor, the IAI Harop. Final improvements are both speed, which is now 220km/h
(137mph) and an extended range of more than 600lan (373 miles).

Table ofHarpy/JWSOl currently in PLAAF use

Type role Service entry In use with No (est.)
IAI Harpy SEAD 1994 n/k 100
NTU JWS01 SEAD 2011 n/k n/k

Other systems

CSSRC XTW-5 5
One of the probably most unusual types - barely lmown in the West - in PLA service
is the XTW-5 wing-in-ground-effect (WIG). Like all WIGs, this type is designed to attain
sustained flight over a level surface like a lake or sea by making use of the ground
effect, the aerodynamic interaction between the wings and the surface.
WIGs are often better lmown by their Soviet designation 'ekranoplan', but other
names are sea skimmer, or wing-in-surface-effect ship (WISE) are also used for this
unique class of transportation.
Officially not much is lmown on the XTW-5, but it evolved from previous XTW-1
to XTW-4 experimental WIGs, which were developed by the China Ship Scientific
Research Center (CSSRC), also lmown as the No. 702 Institute of the China Shipbuild-
ing Industry Corporation (CSIC). Preceding the XTW-family, the first project was Type
961, a single-seater experimental double fuselage type as China's first WIG at all, which
was tested in flight between 1967 to 1968. However, the Cultural Revolution and result-

On ly a handfu l of images
showing the XTW5 in service are
known and most of them are
now fairly old.
(CDF)

47
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

ing issues prevented and delayed any further research and development until the end
of the 1970s and the beginning of 1980s.
A second WIG developed by the CSSRC was the Project 902 initiated in 1977, which
became the precursor of the XTW series.
These XTW-1 to XTW-4 test WIGs (XTW = XinTianWeng = albatross) were allegedly
built and tested between 1989 and 1999 and later evolved into the XTW-5 as China's
first operational craft of this type. The XTW-5 was designed for maritime patrol activi-
ties and search and rescue missions, and features a box-like fuselage with a barge-
shaped belly, a retractable chassis, mid-mounted wings with a reversed delta shape,
zero backs of the inner parts (up to the gondola of the engines) and a significant nega-
tive buckling of the outer parts where floating devices/pods are attached with small
winglets with a strong positive backlash ends. The tail consists of a pair of sharply
canted tails, which were connected via a top-mounted horizontal tail. In comparison
to its final predecessor, the XTW-4 model, the XTW-5 is a bit smaller and lighter due to
the less powerful Lycoming IO-720 engine. This horizontally opposed, eight-cylinder
engine featuring four cylinders per side produces 394 hp (293.5 kW) built into the lead-
ing edge of the wing and drives three-bladed propellers. Unfortunately, not many - and
in fact contradicting - information on its dimensions, performances and on the status
of this program is available.
Allegedly, the XTW-5 has a length of 29m (95ft), a span of 23.8m (78ft), a height of
8.50m (28ft) and weights about25 tons (55,116lbs). It has a range of 500km (311 miles).
Otherwise it entered service in 2003 within the PLA Border Defence Troops, 1st
Patrol Boat Squadron/Jiamusi based at Dangbizhen at the Xingkai Lake in the former
Shenyang Military Region; now Northern Theater Command.

1 FoJTfK, J., Mi l Mi-8/17/171 H ip (Petersfield: MMPBooks, Yellow Series) ISBN 978-8-3659582-8-0

2 https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/3hw0zpA4d3bMbbhKU6szVA and https://web.archive.org/
web/20080512234259/http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/mil 7.asp
3 https://www.aiiiorce-technology.com/news/newsrosobomexport-mi-17 le-china/
4 http://www.eastpendulum.com/asn-301-le-cousin-deja-lointain-du-drone-kamikaze-harpy
5 http://dailynews.sina.com/gb/chn/chnmilitary/sinacn/20100323/19211287747.html .
https://ruslet.webnode.cz/technika/cinska-technika/ekranoplany/xtw-5/
http://www.eastpendulum.com/chinese-wing-in-ground

48
-
ARMY
. AVIATION AR
~
,
0 RES

Similar to the Chapter 3 in the Naval Aviation book, the review of the armament and
weapons used by PLA Army Aviation aircraft and helicopters will only give a summary.
Rocket and gun pods are not included in this analysis.

Air-to-air missiles
The PLA Army Aviation currently operates only a limited range of air-to-air-missiles
and the PL-90 is actually one of the smallest and lightest AAMs available, specifically
developed for helicopter self-defence against enemy helicopters and slow moving
fixed-wing aircraft and UAVs. The missile began its life as the TY-90 (Tian Y'an-90; lit-
erally: 'Sky Swallow-90') and was contrary to several claims not developed from a
ground-based MANPADS missiles but was aimed from the start for helicopters. Only
later, the surface-to-air version was developed. Main reason was the PLA's conclusion,
that regular MANPADS like the US Stinger or comparable systems like the QW-1/2 SAM
were inadequate. Consequently, the new missile had to be larger and feature a heavier
warhead in order to severely damage or take out the rotary system with a single shot.
The missile has a length of 1.86m (6.1ft), a diameter of 9cm (3.5in), weights 20kg
(441b) and enables a range between 500-6,000m (l,640-19,685ft) to engage targets up to
an altitude up to 6,000m. It reaches a maximum speed of Mach 2 and has a maximum
load of 20G. The original basic version PL-90 - also known as TY-90 for export - fea-
tures only an IR seeker that was superseded by a dual-band IR/UV seeker with good
IRCCM properties for all-aspect engage capability later. It also features a laser proxim-
ity fuse and allegedly, the final seeker available adopts an ImIR guidance. The PL-90
entered service in 2006 and in PLA Army Aviation service the can be carried by Mi-17/
Mi-171, Z-9W/WA/WZ, Z-10 and Z-19.

Current . Date of .
Name/type . t Guidance Range . t d t· In use with
vanan m ro uc 10n
Mi-17/Mi-171,
Dual-band 0.5-6km
Luoyang Pili-90 Z-9W/WA/WZ,
PL-90A IR/UV or (0.3-3.7 2006
(PL-90) Z-10,
lmlR miles)
Z-19

49
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

The PL-90 is a dedicated

AAM for use against enemy
helicopters. Images of it in
operational use are quite rare Anti-tank guided weapons
although it can be carried by
the Z-9WA/WZ as seen here, as
well as the Mi-17/Mi-171, Z-10
and Z-19. N0RINC0 HongJian-8 (HJ-8)
(both Top.81 Forum via CDF)
The HJ-8 - aka 'Red Arrow-8' - was for many years the standard anti-tank guided mis-
sile (ATGM). In PLA service, it is rated a second-generation missile, that uses tube-
launched, optically tracked, wire-guided anti-tank missile system. Development was
initiated already in the 1970s, with the aim, to develop a successor to the HJ-73 (devel-
opment of the 9M14 Malyutka or AT-3 'Sagger'). It was a co-development program by
the No. 203 Research Institute and the No. 282 Factory, but as usual, it was delayed
by events of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) until the early 1980s. It entered ser-
vice between 1984 and 1988 and was China's answer to the same requirement for a
man portable guided missile comparable to those used by NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
In essence, it is often rated as comparable to the US BGM-71 TOW, Franco-German
MILAN/Euromissile HOT and the British Swingfire anti-tank missiles. In fact, several
experts believe, it evolved as a clever combination of the three mentioned missile sys-
tems, which were obtained via wars in the Middle East and Asia and were examined,
reverse engineered and modified. Sometimes the designation AFT-8Z is also used.
The missile itself is a tube-launched, optically tracked and wire-guided missile
armed with a HEAT anti-tank warhead and its original variants were not helicopter
based. Anyway, the PLA was apparently satisfied with its indigenous development
and in service, the original HJ-8 was followed by several improved variants offering
extended range and penetration capabilities.
The HJ-SB was the first helicopter-launched version, with greater penetration
power and increased range (up to 5.3km/3.3 miles). However, regardless of satisfac-
tory performances, the weapon remains a line-of-sight (LOS) anti-tank missile and
consequently, the PLA went on to develop newer systems enabling 'fire-and-forget'
solutions.

50
 Chapter 4

Although this Z-9WZ is assig ned

to the PLAAF Airborne Forces,
N0RINC0 Kong Dian-9 (KD-9) & Kong Dian-10 (KD-10) it clearly ill ustrates the launch
sequence of the HJ-8 wire-
gu ided missi le.
These two modem ATGMs are some sort of siblings with the KD-9 (KlAKD9) being the (CDF)
smaller and lighter and the KD-10 (K/AKDl0) as the larger and heavier one. Both were
developed as a new generation of ATGMs developed specifically for the Z-10, which
can use both types and the Z-19, which usually carries the KD-9 only. Initiated as a
third-generation successor to the HJ-8, both were aimed for missiles in the same class
of US AGM-114 Hellfire. Quite interesting both share even a similar design but without
the forward control fins. Concerning its background there is much often contradicting
information available and some sources even claim it to be based on the HJ-10, which
however utilises fibre-optic wire-guidance and is externally a very different weapon. In contrast to the Z- lOA, which
Regardless its origin, development was closely linked to the development of the Z-10, ca n use both the KD-9 and the
heavier KD-10, the smal ler Z-19
its targeting system and therefore was long delayed but in the end evolved into a capa-
usually employs on ly the KD-9.
ble ATGM. (www.81.cn)
It is said to feature a semi-active laser seeker - some sources claimed being based
on the seeker used by the Russian Krasnopol 152mm (6in) laser-guided projectile -
making it therefore not a true fire-and-forget weapon. Concerning its warhead, the
first variants to enter service featured a tandem-charge warhead designed to defeat
reactive armour, while later variants are allegedly fitted with a capability for top attack
version.
Since mid-2015 it also seems as if a modified version of the KD-10 - maybe called
KD-lOA - uses a larger and improved laser seeker and it has been speculated since
some time that an MMW seeker is either under development or already in use. This

51
 Chi nese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

The Z- lOA is usually armed

which the heavier KD-10, which
is the standard PLA ATGM.
(ByFlywing via CDF)

version might be coupled with the latest mast mounted MMW radar currently fielded
on several Z-19As. Some specifications for the KD-10 are a length of 1.775m (5.8ft), a
diameter of 17cm (6.7in), it weights 46kg (l0llb), has a range of 2,000-7,000m (6,562-
22,966ft) and the capability to penetration regular armour of 1,400mm (55in).
In recent years, the KD-9 and KD-10 have been modified for use not only by the Z-10

/ and Z-19, but also to be fried from the W-9WZ, modernised Mi-l 7V-5 and the WD-lK/
GJ-1 UCAV.

Name/type Current variant guidance range Date of In use with

introduction
HJ-8 HJ- 8D/F/H Wire-guided 3- 4km 2004 + Z-9
(1.8-2.5
miles)
KD-9 KD-9 Semi-active laser 6km 2012 Mi-171 G,
(3.7 Z-9WZ,
miles) Z- 10,
Z-19
KD- 10 KD-10 Semi-active laser >8km 2012 Z- 10H/A
KD-10A (>5
mi les)

52
 ~
. ..
. . .-~w
'-·
~"~-'

fRAINING SYLLJ.\BUS -
i ' ~ · . •
· 1~

ARMY AVIATION TRAINING

As mentioned in the PLAAF and Naval Aviation books, most often focus is set too
much on the technical modernisation of the hardware, but improvements and develop-
ments in tactics and training are probably even more important for the future outcome
of any potential operations. Therefore, even if the two aforementioned air arms are
actively developing more realistic training and flight school programs often more akin
to Western concepts and also quite a lot is published on this issue, the PLA Army Avia-
tion and its training programmes are much harder to come by.
Since unfortunately barely any hard data is available, this chapter tries at least to
provide a summary of what is known concerning the army aviation's training syllabus
and its structure. Interestingly, China's army aviation also has female aviators.

General background
According to the fact that training guidance for all PLA branches still follows a strictly
centralised, top down approach with all regularities issued by the General Staff Depart-
ment (GSD), this is the same for the army aviation. The PLA Army Aviation does not
have its own recruitment organisation, which in return seems to be linked to the Army
Aviation College for advertisement only. In essence, the PLAAF's Recruitment Bureau

One of the few images available

showing all PLA Army training
helicopters in service: most are
Z-11 s, but right and left in the
background a few HC-120 are
also visible, and there are also
two old Alouettes far left in the
background.
(CDF)

53
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

is responsible for recruiting army aviator cadets, which are drawn from two sepa-
rate groups, namely high school graduates and cadets in military academic institutions
after they have finished a three-year senior technical degree. It also seems as if the
PLAAF has specific recruitment quotas from PLA Army Aviation, which however are
not known. Also unknown is the breakout for aviators and maintenance personnel or
the general number for each group and no information on the cadet washout rate is
given. Anyway, it is expected to comparable to the PLAAF's 50 per cent.
Historically seen, after the Army Aviation Bureau was formed in October 1986, only
The original Z-9A and B 13 years later in June 1999 the Army Aviation College (rt-l AA. ~*'# ~ ) was created.
are probably only in service At the time of its founding, the college had three subordinate flight training bases,
with training units like this which are located in Beijing, Shanxi Province and Sichuan Province with each base
example, with its individual
having one subordinated training regiment. Complementing the regular education and
aircraft number 21 displayed
prominently. training of aviators, it also qualifies mechanics and ground staff personnel in mainte-
(via CMA) nance for every component of the airframes, including engines, communications and
sensors. The college was also responsible to train People's Armed Police (PAP) crews
and at least some PLAAF helicopter aviators.
In 2009, the PLAAF began training its first female helicopter aviators at the Second
Flight College, which is now part of the Air Force Xi'an Flight College and has a heli-
copter training brigade.1

Training syllabus2
Given the latest restructurings and especially due to a lack of information, this chapter
is quite short. As mentioned above, education for cadets from another military aca-
demic institution and training for high school graduates appears to be separated.
Starting with the arrival at the Army Aviation College, they receive two year of edu-
cation and training, divided into two phases, after which they are assigned to an opera-
tional unit, where they transition into the unit's helicopter type:

• Phase 1 lasts for eight months and includes basic academic education and basic
flight techniques. Additional topics are simulator training, parachuting and survival
training.
• Phase 2 includes 16 months of professional aviation education and transition train-
ing of actual flight technique training.
• Phase 3 provides combat transition training at an operational unit to the new pilots,
which includes technical training, initial flight training and basic tactical training on
their future unit's primary operational helicopter.

Quite in contradiction to the phases above, other reports mention that after receiving
an initial two years of education and training at the Air Force Aviation University, they
are transferred for their third year to the Army Aviation College, where they receive
theoretical education and simulator training. Usually the fourth year is spent at a train-
ing regiment in one of the subordinated training bases. Depending their future alloca-
tion, they receive advanced flight techniques training.
The helicopter commonly used are either Z-11 or HC-120; the currently most mod-
ern training helicopter in service, which replaced the original dated types, formerly in

54
 Chapter 5

use, namely Mi-4, Mi-8 and Alouette helicopters. With the completion of the fourth year
and receiving their graduate, they will be assigned to a permanent unit. At this unit,
they receive transition training for their operational helicopter type.

Issues and uncertainties

In summary, not much can be said about the efficiency and adequacy of the current
PLA Army Aviation flight training syllabus before reaching an operational unit. Overall,
it remains a mystery how much it was revised in recent years or was expanded due to
the higher demand of qualified helicopter pilots.

Th e HC-120 is a five-seat,
single-engine light utility
helicopter primary used for
training. It is rumoured that
58 are on order.
(F.KSCAN via CDF)

'China's Air Force Flight College Training Regiment Is Equipped with a New Type of Helicopter'( '!:\. 00 gs'~ l.
Bf 11,t-lJr[ ~ ff) WG½f/r!J!l 1I. ft-t/J.), March 16, 2010, accessed at
http://mil.eastday.com/m/20l00316/ula5088834.html. and
'China Air Force Helicopter Brigade Training Photos' ( 9' 00 gs'~ 1I. ft-t/J.M\ 1J1[ ~.l!l! !Ji:)\:.), November 25, 2013,
accessed at http://mil.huanqiu.com/photo_china/2013-11/2718483.htrnl.
2 https://jamestown.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/PLA-Aviator-Recruitrnent-Education-and-Training_
Final.pelf

55
 Chapter 6

Operational structure
In contrast to the PLAAF and the PLA Naval Aviation, the organisational structure
of the PLA Anny Aviation is quite young, much lesser understood and from what is
known also different in some aspects. The PLAGF Headquarters represents the highest
tier, subordinated to the PLA General Staff Department and the Chairman of the CMC,
and consists of four General Departments (General Staff, Political, General Logistics
and General Armament).
The main difference is - while the PLAAF units are assigned to bases structured
along the seven Theater Commands since 2016 and the naval units are administrated
by the three fleets according to the three Theatre Commands with a naval asset - the
Anny is structured along the individual Group Armies assigned to the relevant Theater
Commands.

The PLA Army Aviation tier

Within the overall People's Liberation Army Ground Forces hierarchy, the PLA Army
Aviation is ranked 'only' fifth in protocol order among the PLAGF's nine branches.
As such, the problem is similar to the aviation within the PLAAF and Naval Aviation
within the PLAN, in which they are not the Air Force itself and quite to the contrary,
they are only a part within a greater hierarchy. However, in contrast to the Naval Avia-
tion and aviation within the PLAAF, where both 'aviation assets' share the same level
within that hierarchy, the PLA Anny Aviation has still a lover level.

PLA GF branch 1 PLAAF branches

Infantry Aviation
2 Armour Anti-aircraft artillery
3 Artillery SAM
4 Air defence Radar
5 Army aviation Airborne Corps (former 15th AC)
6 Engineering
7 Communications/signal
8 ABC defence
9 Electronic countermeasures

57
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Quite interesting the nine branches of the PLAGF are rarely published and so far
one of the few published sources is the PRC Defense White Paper (2002), which lists
them as infantry, armour, artillery, air defense, army aviation, engineering, chemical
defense and communications, as well as other specialised units such as those of elec-
tronic counter-measure (ECM), reconnaissance and mapping. In addition, none of
them especially lay out the branches as they do for the PLA Air Force or PLA Navy.
How much the PLA Army Aviation's individual units mirror the PLAAF- or Naval
Aviation structure down the operational chain is not entirely known but it moves down
from the Army Aviation Department through Field Armies to LH brigades and bat-
talions. Akin to the PLAAF and Naval Aviation, it also includes besides the aircraft
and airfields as the main 'aviation assets', additional subordinated anti-aircraft artillery
(AAA), radar, communications, chemical defence, aircraft maintenance, and logistics
units, as well as various educational institutions academies.
This is probably comparable to the PLAAF's base-brigade-concept and where it
gains its importance since it puts all these assets within a certain area under the united
command of a group army. Unfortunately, they retained their former serial numbers
of their fom1er LH brigades or regiments, but with the introduction of the new serial
number scheme, this seems to have been cleared by now.
As noted, within this operational structure - which should not be confused with
the administrative structure - army aviation is quite different and follows the regular
PLAGF's Field Armies, which form the core of the organisation, comparable to the
PLAAF bases. Otherwise, the PLAGF is similar to the PLAAF organisation, which was
long-time structured along the well-known Military Regions, and since 2016, the Thea-
tre Commands. Following the latest changes according to the PLA's '84 corps-level
units', which was announced in April 2017, army aviation units have undergone some
profound changes.
The first step was the reduction of the formerly 18 group armies to 13 and quite sig-
nificantly, none of the five group armies disbanded, had either an Army Aviation or spe-
cial operations force (SOF) unit assigned. Quite interesting, only six of the remaining
group armies and the two mentioned Military District units had both an army aviation
unit and a SOF unit assigned. 2 Additionally in the Western Theater Command, one LH
brigade was formerly subordinate to the former General Staff Department (GSD) and
an additional brigade was formerly assigned to the Xinjiang Military District. Similar, a
regiment-sized unit was formerly assigned to the Tibet Military District and these two
units are now the Xinjiang and the Xizang Brigades.
For observers, this time was especially confusing, since all but one LH air brigades
have adopted a new designation corresponding their parent group army, while they
still retained their old serial nun1bers until January 2018.

58
 Chapter 6

Table of PLAGF Group Armies pre-2017 and today, with their assigned LH units
Theater Group Armies (pre 2017) - Group Armies (post 2017) - F LH A . f ·t Current LH aviation
Command original designation new designation ormer via ion uni s units
12th Group Army 71 st Group Army 71 st LH Brigade
Eastern TC 1st Group Army 72nd Group Army 5th LH Regiment/Brigade 72nd LH Brigade
31st Group Army 73rd Group Army 10th LH Regiment/Brigade 73rd LH Brigade
41st Group Army 74th Group Army 6th LH Regiment/Brigade 74th LH Brigade
Southern TC 42nd Group Army 75th Group Army 12th LH Regiment/Brigade 121 st Air Assault Brigade
14th Group Army disbanded
21st Group Army 76th Group Army Parts of 3rd LH Regiment/Brigade 76th LH Brigade
13rd Group Army 77th Group Army 2nd LH Regiment/Brigade 77th LH Brigade
Western TC 47th Group Army disbanded
Xinjiang Brigade
Xizang Brigade
16th Group Army 78th Group Army Parts of 9th LH Regiment/Brigade 78th LH Brigade
39th Group Army 79th Group Army 9th LH Regiment/Brigade 79th LH Brigade
Northern TC
26th Group Army 80th Group Army 7th LH Regiment/Brigade 80th LH Brigade
40th Group Army disbanded
65th Group Army 81 st Group Army 4th LH Regiment/Brigade 81 st LH Brigade
38th Group Army 82nd Group Army 8th LH Regiment/Brigade 82nd LH Brigade
Central TC 54th Group Army 83rd Group Army 1st LH Regiment/Brigade 161 st Air Assault Brigade
20th Group Army disbanded
27th Group Army disbanded

Depending on the operational units - aka the LH brigades - they are sub-divided
in a similar way to the same subunits as the PLAAF with divisions (shi) and regi-
ments (tuan) and regiment-grade field stations, battalion-grade flight and maintenance
groups, and company-grade flight and maintenance squadrons. Operationally the regi-
ments are subdivided into groups (dadui) and squadrons (zhongdui), which are often
called battalions (ying) as the most important combat assets. Following some reports,
the regular army aviation brigade consists of six to eight flight groups (}c !R), with
usually 12 helicopters assigned. This is the most important difference to the former
regiments, which has normally four to six flight groups subordinated. Retained how-
ever was the structure that each unit is operating a different helicopter type, so that
usually the size of brigades varies by the number of flight groups and the different
types assigned.

Ch .inese des1gnat1on
. . * No. of
. ft
Ch"
tnese
p· .
tnym
US Army Aviation
. t'"'
ru~ ~M~ 1
Army Aviation Brigade 36 to 96'""' :AA:7i1*$_ Hangkongbing Lu Cavalry Air Brigade
Kongzhong TujT Dl
Air Assault Brigade 36 to 96 '.2i' 9" ~ ifdlt xx$_ Cavalry Air Brigade
xx Lii
Army Aviation
18 to 40 :AA:'.'i'* 0:1 Hangkongbing Tuan
Regiment

59
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Air Cavalry
Reconnaissance
Squadron or Attack
Army Aviation Lu Jun Hangkong
12 Reconnaissance
Battalion BTng Ying
Battalion or Assault
Helicopter
Battalion
Flight Group 8 ~ ti':k lR Feixing Dadui
UAV Battalion 48 JtA-tJL~ Wu Ren Ji Ying
Air Cavalry
Fl ight Squadron 8 to 24 :ii: 9" :klR Feixing Dadui Reconnai ssance
Squadron
UAV Dadui 12 xAtJL:klR Wurenji Dadui
UAV Zhongdui 6 x A-tJL 9" :k ~A Wurenji Zhongdui
Army Artillery Brigade
UAV units
? xA-tJL$-1i Wurenji Danwei

Flight Unit 12 to 20 'lW5rlR Bufendui

smal l
Maintenance
Maintenance Group fraction of -tJL¼:klR Jiwu Dadui
Group
parent unit
depends on
Field Station/Base
Field Station units fmir,5 Changzhan
Support Battalion
present
Sometimes the prefix 'Army' is missing from Chinese names, so that flm '.f should be added. flrtT is a short
form for [lmtt!i, which means 'ground', so that in a combination of Ii and '.f, the character for 'military force'
or 'army' makes fla; '.f which means 'ground force' (or 'army').

** Equivalent US units are difficult to compare, since they have a very different complement.
For example, a standard US Cavalry Air Brigade (CAB) consists of
• Air Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron: 12 UAVs and 24 AH-64s
• Attack Reconnaissance Battalion: 24 AH-64s
• Assault Helicopter Battalion: 30 UH-60s
• General Support Aviation Battalion: 8 UH-60s, 12 CH47s, 12 UH-60 medevac
UAVs are usually directly subordinated to an Air Cav Recon Battalion.

*** Depending on number of battalions .

Unfortunately, not much information is available on the current army aviation order
of battle or even its current force structure like for the PLAAF. This is especially 'thin'
concerning a quite unknown new unit, namely the organic UAV subunits. These UAV
battalions as well as several more lower-level organisations are operational within all
five TCs, usually subordinate to the group armies, but their designation and structure
is barely known. Additionally, some reports give hint that there are eventually so-called
Army Artillery Brigade UAV units available within each of the 13 group armies. These
are however assigned to the regular Group Army's Artillery Brigades in all Theater
Commands and not directly assigned to the LH brigades.3
The biggest problem yet may be that its combat force is still in the midst of an ongo-
ing restructuring, where several units are reorganised, get new equipment transformed
or merged with other units. Consequently, a clear picture of a structure along the group
armies and a confirmation of LH brigades, their battalions or divisions, regiments and
independent regiments assigned to them is quite difficult to confirm.

60
 Chapter 6

Strategy and mission

Historically one of the main reasons for its founding and in consequence the PLA Army
Aviation's main role for many years has been to provide transport duties of the regular
PLAGF troops like transportation of soldiers and equipment. In later years, and as
such first concepts that lead to the introduction of an offensive part of army aviation,
stem from concerns of large tank columns and opposing armour formations and the
question on how how to deal with them. In recent years, however a shift in mission
priorities is notable in more related to cross-border terrorism emanating from Central
Asia and drug trafficking along the borders to the former Soviet Republics and Afghan-
istan. And finally, the government's constant fear of public unrest in Tibet and Xinjiang,
which both have been focal points of ethnic tensions in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Therefore, in summary the main missions besides protecting and defending the PRC's
territory, it can be described as an increased role in the fight against what Chinese
authorities considers the 'three evils' or the interconnected threats to its authorities:
terrorism, separatism, and religious fundamentalism. Here however - as described in
the final chapter - there is a 'mixing zone' between the true PLA Army Aviation and
other paramilitary assets like the border guards and armed police.
Consequently, another item introduced during the latest reform is, that most likely
all current brigades are working closely together with SOF units. It seems as if the
PLAGF have recognised, that 'properly organised, trained, and equipped army aviation
and SOF units will be able to contribute to joint maritime or land campaigns beyond
China's borders. While doctrine allows for such operations, additional modifications
based on new capabilities and technologies likely will be required.' 4
The modem-day PLA Army Aviation has developed into a capable force especially
during the last decade, capable of performing a number of roles, which are no longer
restricted to transport, even if it is still far from the US Army both in numbers and
capabilities. Therefore, in consequence, a comparison to the US Army - surely the
benchmark for any future PLA Army Aviation ambitions - is interesting. Also originally
established much earlier for aerial support of army ground forces, army aviation heli-
copters played surely their first important role in the Vietnam War. Afterwards how-
ever with the shift of priorities on a high intensity conflict in Europe, doubts emerged
about the helicopters' ability to survive and perform an essential role in a heavy com-
bat environment. At least new doctrine, tactics, aircraft, equipment, and organisational
structures were implemented up to the mid-1980s and in 1983 - only three years before
the PLAGF - an independent army aviation branch was founded. The final recogni-
tion of the army aviation's role to the modem battlefield occurred during operations
in Grenada, Panama, and finally during Operation Desert Storm, helicopters proved
their versatility and flexibility. With the beginning of the Global War on Terrmism since
2001, PLA Army Aviation gained another focus - especially in close cooperation with
Army Special Operation Forces - and expanding roles across the spectrum of joint
and combined operations. These developments were closely studied by the PLA so
that today and comparable to the US Army the PLA Army Aviation's main missions are
to find and destroy enemy forces through firepower and manoeuvre. It should provide
combat and support in coordinated operations especially as an integral member of
combined, joint and special mission operations. Most importantly, army aviation ena-
bles flexibility, versatility, and assets to fulfil a variety of missions both during offen-
sive and defensive operations.

61
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Issues and limitations

Despite the growth in numbers and size of units and in the total number of helicop-
ters, one major limiting factor for long was the lack sufficient aircraft to perform all
the tasks necessary to conduct modern campaigns. It has to be reminded, that even
with roughly 1,000 helicopters today, PLA Army Aviation expanded their capabilities
impressively however in comparison to the US Army, which operates today more than
3,500 helicopters, the PLA is still far away from comparable capabilities. As a result,
and even if the PLA Army Aviation is unlikely to reach the same number of helicopters,
continued growth in the Army Aviation Corps is necessary and can be expected.
However, building the necessary infrastructure, developing tactics especially in
complex night, bad weather and low-level operations and preparing pilots and ground
crews, takes time and is not for cheap.
Consequently, the most likely scenario is that existing army aviation brigades, that
do not have the full complement of the reported eight subordinate battalions, will most
likely gain additional aircraft and subunits as the new helicopters are available and
pilots and crews are trained. Similar, SOF units need to be trained and even more joint
operations between army aviation assets and these SOF need to be established. At
least it seems as if the PLAGF have understood how vital SOF are to modern opera-
tions.
The next major limitation is the lack of comparable performance: if one compares
the range, combat radii and flight performances especially in 'hot and high' environ-
ments, the current Chinese types still lack dramatically.
This might slowly change with the introduction of more modern types like the latest
Z-8G, Z-8L and Z-20, but the civilian Chinese aviation industry seems to be still lim-
ited to produce enough aircraft and develop new models especially for medium- and
heavy-lift helicopters. Similarly, even if the introduction of the Z-10 and Z-19 attack
helicopters finally enabled offensive operations, these types are still lacking in nearly
all aspects compared with the AH-64D Apache.
How much progress in the meantime was accomplished/achieved concerning mod-
ern tactics and logistics - in mind that PLA Army Aviation and SOF units are much
more expensive to maintain, to organise, and to keep them combat ready than former
infantry units, is also another open issue. And this all has to be seen in mind of an over-
all force reduction and as a competition with other branches for resources concerning
their modernising efforts.
In summary, during the last decade the PLA Army Aviation has dramatically
improved through assigning new types in large numbers and modernising training,
tactics and organisation, but there's surely a lot more room to improve.

► A map of China showing the five theater Key

commands, the headquarters and their assigned • Theatre Command Ground Force HQ
group armies within each TC. • Grou p Army HQ
(Map by James La wrence)

62
 Chapter 6

ORBAT 2019
Similar to the PLAAF and Naval Aviation, by now after several months of closely fol-
lowing the ongoing PLA reorganisation - officially announced on 18 April 2017 - at
least a slightly clearer image becomes slowly visible.
However in contrast to the other two aviation branches, the similar comprehen-
sive major reorganisation of the PLA Army Aviation initiated in parallel is much lesser
understood and documented. Anyway, this is an attempt to describe the structure and
composition of the PLA Army Aviation's order of battle for the first time.

The five Theater Commands in protocol order:

• Eastern Theater Command ( JJ::: if~ t-1t ll)
• Southern Theater Command (NJ if~ t-1t ll)
• Western Theater Command (W if~ t-1t ll)
• Northern Theater Command (1~if~G-1t il)
• Central Theater Command ( o/ if~ t-1t ll)

78th Group
Army •

Northern
Theater Comm and

76th Group
Army •
Western •
WTC
Theater Command Gf HO
Central
Theater Command
Xizang An
(Tibet AR)

77th Group
Army •

Southern
Theater Command

63
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Eastern Theater Command

The current Eastern Theater Command was founded on 1 February 2016 and is the
successor to the former Nanjing Military Region. Its primary importance lies in its
proximity to Taiwan and the East China Sea facing Japan. Concerning the PLAGF its
jurisdiction includes the three reorganised Group Armies (GA): the 71st GA, the 72nd
GA and the 73rd GA
Its joint command headquarters are located in Nanjing, however the TC's Ground
Force Headquarters is located at Fuzhou. Major units currently assigned to the Eastern
Theater Command are described on the following pages.

71st LH Brigade
Following the 2017 reform, the former 12th Group Army became the reformed 71st
Group Army. It has its headquarters at Xuzhou in Jiangsu Province. The corresponding
71st LH Brigade was established in July 2017 reportedly from the former GSD Army
Aviation Brigade at Mahong Lake, Sihong. Its first helicopters with the new serial num-
bers were spotted in April 2018 flying at least five battalions of Mi-171 and Mi-171V5,
Z-8B, Z-9 and Z-9WA/WZ and finally Z-19.

72nd LH Brigade
The 72nd Group Army was reformed in mid-2017 from the former 1st Group Army as
one of three active GAs belonging to the ETC. Its headquarters is located at Huzhou
in Zhejiang Province. Its corresponding 72nd LH Brigade was established from the
former 5th LH Regiment, that became the 5th LH Brigade between November 2011 and
May 2012 flying at least four battalion of Mi-171, Mi-171V and Mi-171V7, Z-8B, Z-9 and
Z-9WA/WZ and finally Z-lOA
The new serial numbers were first noted in January 2018. Following the latest
reports, it seems as if in early 2019 that this brigade has been re-organised into only
three battalions, when the Z-8Bs were transferred to the neighbouring 71st LH Brigade
and in returned it gained Mil-17-1 V and Mil-17V-5 helicopters from the Xinjiang LH
Brigade.

73rd LH Brigade
The 73rd Group Army was the third GA assigned to the ETC established in mid-2017
from the former 31st GA It is active since 1949 and has its headquarters at Xiamen,
Fujian Province. Based on its training activities and positioning, its primary mission is
presumed to be Taiwan.
The 73rd LH Brigade was originally established in 2002 as the former 10th LH Regi-
ment that became the 10th LH Brigade between November 2011 and September 2012.
It comprises at least five battalions of Mi-171E, Z-8B, Z-9WA/WZ, Z-19 and finally Z-lOA
The new serial numbers were first noted in January 2018.

64
Chapter 6

Since July 2015, some Z-8Bs

have been modified with the
origina l floats rein sta ll ed in
order to improve survivability
over wa ter. In PLA Army
Aviation service th is type is
expected to be replaced by the
Z-8G.
(DS via PDF)

Th e standard armament for

the Z-9WZ in the armed
reconnaissa nce role are pods
for unguided 57mm rockets, as
demonstrated by this aircraft
from the 72nd LH Brigade.
(Zhanghui via CDF)

An impressive line-up of severa l

Z-19s assigned to the 73rd LH
Brigad e showing an interesting
load-out of four as-yet
unloaded KD-9 launchers, one
unguided 57mm rocket pod and
two fuel tanks.
(Li Shi long via chinamil)

65
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Aviation units assigned to the Eastern Theater Command

Mi-171,
Mi-171V5,
71 st Army Aviation Z-BB, Former GSD Army Aviation Brigade (12th GA, LH911txx) was
LH991txx Chenguzhuangcun
Brigade (71 st GA) Z-9A, based at Xuzhou/Daguozhang
Z-9WA/WZ,
Z-19
BZK-006,
? 71 st Army UAV Dadui Xuzhou
BZK-007
HOHuzhou
Mi-171,
Mi-171V,
Mi-171V-7,
Former 5th Army Aviation Brigade (1st GA, LH95txx);
72nd Army Aviation Z-BB,
LH992txx Nanjing City/Loukou in 2017 the 1st GA was reorganised into 72nd GA with
Brigade (72nd GA) Z-9 Command,
5th LH Regiment becoming 72nd LH Brigade
Z-9W,
Z-9WA/WZ,
Z-10A
72nd Army UAV
? ? BZK-007
Battalion
HOXiatnen
Mi -171E,
Former 10th Army Aviation Brigade (31th GA, LH910txx) ,
Z-BB,
73rd Army Avi ation established in 2002;
LH993txx Luocheng/Huian Z-9WZ,
Brigade (73rd GA) in 2010 the unit started using this former PLAAF air base,
Z- 10A,
which is stil l used for deployments
Z-19
73rd Army UAV BZK-006,
? Luocheng
Battalion BZK-007
Forward operational base at Xuzhou/Daguozhang

e
Key PLAGF Army Aviation Bases Combat radii

• TC GF HQ I TC GF HQ - Fuzhou

Z-lOA 210km (113nm)

e
II 71 st GA HQ - Xuzhou
• Group Army HQ Il l 72nd GA HQ - Hu zhou

IV 73rd GA HQ - Xiamen
e Ch ina ADIZ Mi-171E /V5/V7 260km(140nm)
1 Chenguzhuangcu n

i Xuzhou
- PLAAA Base
► A map of the Central Theater 3 Nanjing Ci ty/lou kou Mi -171V5 / V7 Rad ii
Command, including combat - Taiwa n ADIZ 4 Luocheng/Huian
radii of the relevant helicopters Z- 10A Radii
from their home bases.
(Map by James Lawrence)

66
 Chapter 6

'
f'- ( ' "
-- --------·
~
tJ

East
(nir D Sea

So
Theater

67
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Southern Theater Command

Successor to the former Guangzhou Military Region became the current Southern
Theater Command on 1 February 2016 by loosing responsibility for the Hubei province
- which was assigned to the Central Theater Command - but by gaining responsibility
for the Guizhou and Yunnan provinces from the former Chengdu MR.
In contrast to the immense strategic importance of the STC concerning the PLAAF's
STCAF and the PLAN's South Sea Fleet, for the PLAGF, it has not the same priority and
consequently the STC's jurisdiction includes only the two reorganised Group Armies
(GA): the 74th GA and the 75th GA. Its joint command headquarters are located at
Guangzhou but the TC's Ground Force Headquarters is located at Nanning.
Anyway, it is the second TC facing Taiwan, and strategic importance is added by
the fact that it also faces the South China Sea and the disputed islands. Major units
currently assigned to the Southern Theater Command are described on the following
pages.

7 4th LH Brigade
The 74th Group Army was formed in mid-2017 by reforming the original 42th Group
Army, which was active since the late 1940s. It has its headquarters at Huizhou in
Guangdong Province. Its corresponding 74th LH Brigade was established in July 2017
from the former 6th LH Regiment, that became the 6th LH Brigade between Septem-
ber 2011 and February 2012 flying at least four battalions of Mi-171, Z-8B and later G,
Z-9WNWZ and finally Z-lOA.
The first helicopters with the new serial numbers were spotted in January 2018.
Since early 2019, it seems as if this brigade has been or is being reduced to only three
battalions by transferring its Z-8G to the neighbouring 121st Air Assault Brigade.

121st Air Assault Brigade

Parent unit of this new PLA Army Aviation unit is the 75th Group Army, which was
formerly the 41st Group Army as the second of two Group Armies assigned to the
Southern Theatre Command. Its headquarters is located at Kunming in Yunnan Prov-
ince and it seems as if the 121st Air Assault Brigade - quite unusually not named as
the corresponding 75th LH Brigade - has traces concerning the number to the 121st
Jungle-Mountain Infantry Brigade, which was formed in December 2013.
Aviation-wise it was originally the lesser-known 12th LH Regiment, which was
established in 2002 but became operational only in 2012.
In fact, first images of helicopters showing the 12th LH Regiment serial numbers
appeared only in March 2015 and in June 2017 for the first time, it was reported as the
121st Air Assault Brigade of the 75th GA.
The current serial numbers were first noted in January 2018. Today the unit is fly-
ing at least five battalions of several Mi-171 variants - some gained from the 82nd LH
Brigade - , Z-8G, Z-9 and Z-9WNWZ, Z-lOA and finally the Z-19A.

68
Chapter 6

Two sl ightly different standards

of Mi-171 assigned to the 74th
LH Brigade. The aircraft in the
foreground features additional
chaff/flare 'boxes' on the rear.
The example behind has terra in-
following radar instead of the
lower centre window.
(DS via CDF)

The latest Z-BG is slowly

rep lacing the older Z-BB in
several LH brigades and wi th
both air assault brigades, as
demonstrated here by the 121 st.
(Air-Victoria via PDF)

A Z-10A allegedly assigned to

the 121st Assault He licopter
Brigade launches a PL-90 AAM
against an aerial target.
(Fu Xinpeng via china mil)

69
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Aviation units assigned to the Southern Theater Command

I
Mi-171,
Former 6th Army Aviation Brigade (42nd GA, LH96txx);
Z-8G,
LHgsltxx 74th Army Aviation Sanshui/ in 2017 the 42nd GA was reorganised into 74th GA with 6th LH Brigade
Z-9W,
Brigade (7 4th GA) Daliao becoming 74th LH Brigade;
Z-9WA,
in 2018 Z-1 Ss were replaced by Z-8G.
Z-10A
74th Army UAV BZK-006,
? Status unconfirmed, maybe only a STC UAV dadui
Battalion BZK-007
HO Kunn;iing
Former 12th Army Aviation Brigade (75th GA, LH912txx);
Mi-171E,
sometimes still known as the 75th Air Assault Brigade;
Z-BG,
121st Air Assault established in 2002, the 12th LH Regiment became operational in 2012 on
LH982cxx Xupu Z-9A,
Brigade (75th GA) this former PLAAF air base;
Z-10A,
in 2017 the 41 st GA wa s reorganised into 75th GA with 12th LH Regiment
Z-19A
becoming 121st Air Assault Brigade
BZK-006,
? 75th Army UAV Dadui ?
BZK-007
Forward operational bases at Jinjiang, Quanzhou and Yangtang Li

► A map of the Southern Theater

Command, including combat radii
of the relevant helicopters from
their home bases.
(Map by James Lawrence)

70
 Chapter 6

Eastern
Theater
Command

Southern
• Ill Theater Command

~ ""
' ;

''
MYANMAR ''
''
''
''

0 Southern Theater
Command Navy

South
China Sea
THAILAND

Key PLAG F Army Aviation Bases Combat radii

• TC GF HO I TC GF HQ - Nanning

e Z- lOA 210km (113nm) Mi-171E Radii

e
II 74th GA HQ - Huizhou
/',r•~"·•... ~.•\

• Group Army HQ
Ill 75th GA HQ - Ku nming Mi - 171V7 260km (140nm) ! ) Z-lOA Radii

e
1 Sansh ui/Oaliao
• PLAAA Base
2 Xupu
Z-8G 260km (140nm)
//'·-···.......,

l Z-8G Radii

71
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Western Theater Command

The current Western Theater Command is de facto the successor to the former Lanzhou
MR and Chengdu MR and it was founded on 1 February 2016. Its military importance
lies - regardless that it covers the most sparsely populated parts of China- in its prox-
imity to the border with India and the former Soviet Republics, as well as the autono-
mous regions of Ningxia Hui, Qinghai, Xinjiang Uyghur and Xizang!fibet Autonomous
Region including the Ngari Prefecture. Therefore, its responsibility encompasses vari-
ous challenges, such as cross-border terrorism emanating from Central Asia, and most
of all security of the Sino-Indian border. In line with the Theater Command reorganisa-
tions, its jurisdiction includes now two reorganised Group Armies: the 76th GA and the
77th GA. Its joint command headquarters are located in Chengdu and the TC's Ground
Force Headquarters is located at Lanzhou. Major units currently assigned to the West-
ern Theater Command are described on the following pages.

76th LH Brigade
The 76th Group Army was formed in mid-2017 by reforming the original 21st Group
Army, which was active since 1949. It has its headquarters at Xining in Qinghai Prov-
ince. Its corresponding 76th LH Brigade was established in July 2017 and gained its
first own helicopters from the 3rd LH Brigade. By now it is flying at least five battalions
of Mi-171E and Mi-171V-7, Z-8G, Z-9WA/WZ, Z-l0A and finally Z-19A. The first helicop-
Two Mi-171 Es from the 76th
ters with the new serial numbers were spotted in February 2018.
LH Brigade over mountainous
terrain. Interestingly, the 77th LH Brigade
Mi-171 Es wear slightly different The 77th Group Army is the second regular reformed GA assigned to the WTC estab-
camouflage with lighter colours
lished in mid-2017 from the former 13th GA. It seems as if it was established in 1985
than other Mi-17/-171s in PLA
Army Aviation service. after the disbandment of the 50th Army and has its headquarters at Chongqing. The
(PDF)

72
 Chapter 6

Latest addition to the 76th LH

Brigade is the Z-8G, which is
ideally suited to high-a ltitude
operations in Tibet
(Fengjian via CMA)

Similar to the 76th LH Brigade,

the 77th LH Brigade also uses
the Mi-171 E, This unit has no
Z-8Gs but operates seve ral
different Mi-171 variants in
other battalions.
(via chinamil)

-~- /Aft: ··"

! ,, ;f,,,,A,
f f ...-

,;

;,'

·,

A Z-10A assigned to the 77th LB

Brigade over snowy mountains.
The serial numbers are often
erased on combat types.
(via chinamil)

73
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

The Xinjiang LH Brigade

continues the lineage of the
former 3rd LH Brigade. Although
a recent image, these Z-9WZs
still have their former unit's
se rial numbers. Usually they
wear LH911 xxx numbers.
(Fengjian via CMA)

corresponding 77th LH Brigade was originally established in July 2017 from the for-
mer 2nd LH Regiment that became the 2nd LH Brigade between November 2011 and
January 2012. It comprises at least five battalions of several Mi-171 variants, S-70C-2,
Z-9WA/WZ, Z-lOA and Z-19. The new serial numbers were first noted in January 2018
and this unit is rumoured to be one of the first LH brigades to gain the Z-20.

Xinjiang LH Brigade
The Western Theater Command is unique since it has two dedicated helicopter bri-
gades assigned, which are not named by a Group Army, but by its autonomous region.
The first one is Xinjiang or officially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR),
which is a provincial-level autonomous region. It contains the disputed territory of
Aksai Chin, which is administered by China but claimed by India. Xinjiang borders
directly to the similar disputed Tibet Autonomous Region and overall Xinjiang borders
the countries of Afghanistan, India (Jammu and Kashmir), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia and Tajikistan. Its corresponding Xinjiang LH Brigade was
formed in 2017 from the former 3rd LH Regiment that became the 3rd LH Brigade
between November 2011 and January 2012. Up to late 2018 it comprised at least five
battalions of several Mi-171 variants including the latest V-7 and Mi-171E, Z-8G, Z-9Wfy
WZ, Z-19 and Z-1 0A. The new serial numbers were first noted in January 2018 and this
unit too is expected to be one of the first LH Brigades to gain the Z-20.
However, since the early 2019, it appears that this brigade is in the process of being
reduced to a four-battalion status with the Mi-171s and Z-19s being transferred to other
units like the 76th LH Brigade, which gained the Z-19s.

Images of helicopters assigned Xizang LH Brigade

to the Xizang Brigade are still Not much is known today about this formation, which has its own helicopter brigade
very rare. Thi s one shows a confirmed only since February 2018. In fact, the original Tibet Military District - or
Mi-171 E with the new serial
Xizang MD, as it is officially named - was first established in 1952 and even an inde-
number.
(CMA) pendent Tibet Military Region. This however was integrated in 1968 into the then
Chengdu Military Region and its status reduced to a district only in 1971. In line with
the 2017 reform it became part of the WTC. The corresponding Xizang LH Brigade was
formed in early 2017 from the 2nd LH Regiment detachment based at Lhasa/Dongguan.
At about the same time, it moved to Lhasa/Gonggar. In early 2018, it moved to a newly
constructed heliport southwest of Lhasa. Its first Mil-171E and Mil-17V-7 helicopters
were obviously transferred from the 77th LH Brigade and following some reports, this
unit will be expanded with types better suited for high altitude operations like the Z-8G
and Z-20 in the near future.

74
 Chapter 6

Aviation units assigned to the Western Theater Command

Mi - 171 E,
Mi-17V-7,
Former 3rd Army Aviation Brigade (21 st GA, LH93txx);
Z-8G,
LH911txx Xinj iang LH Brigade Wujiaqu in 2017 the 3rd LH Regiment (Xinjing MD) was re-organised into
Z-9WA,
Xinjiang LH Brigade
Z-10,
Z-19
Xinj iang LH Brigade
LH911txx Ngari Mi- 171E Former 3rd Army Aviation Brigade (2 1st GA)
(Det.)
Mi- 171 E,
Xinjia ng LH Brigade
LH911txx Shule/Baren Z-9WA Former 3rd Army Aviation Brigade (2 1st GA)
(Det.)
(unconf.)
HQ?
Form er 2nd Army Aviation Brigade Det. 2 (13th GA);
in early 2017 the 2nd LH Regiment detachment - then known as
77th AA Br at downtown Lhasa/Dongguan wa s re-orga nised in the
Xizang LH Brigade Mi-171,
LH921txx Lhasa/Liu wuxiang new Xizang LH Brigade, about the same time, it moved to Lhasa/
(77th GA) Mi - 171 E
Gonggar while expanding;
in 2018 it was repported, that Xizang LH Brigade will move to the
new he liport southwest of Lhasa
HQXining
Mi-17V-7, Former 3rd Army Aviation Brigade (21st GA, LH93txx), long
76th Army Aviation Mi- 171E, reported to operate at Wuj iaqu;
LH 71txx Brigade Dalachi Z-8G, in mid-2017, 76th Brig was activated at Dalach i, initially using
(76th GA) Z- 10, he licopters from 3rd Brigade (LH93cxx);
Z-19 it is expected to move to a new location near Golmut
Mi-17V-7,
Mi- 171 E,
LH93cxx 76th Army Aviation
Sichuan/Jiajiang Z-9WA, Former 3rd Army Aviation Brigade, Det. 1 (21st GA)
(LH9Oxtx) Brigade (Det.)
Z-1 0,
Z-1 9
76th Army UAV
? ? CH -01 Maybe only a WTC UAV dadui
Battalion
HQ Chongqing
Mi-17V-7,
Mi- 171E,
S-70C-2,
Former 2nd Army Aviation Brigade (13st GA. LH92txx);
77th Army Aviation Chengdu/ Z-9WA,
LH972txx in 2017, the 13th GA wa s reorgani sed into 77th GA with
Brigade (77th GA) Feng Huang Sha n Z-10A,
2nd LH Regiment becoming 77th LH Brigade
Z-19,
Z-20
(unconf.)
77th Army Aviation Mi-17V-7,
Chengdu/
LH972txx Brigade Mi- 171 E, Former 2nd Army Aviation Brigade Det. 1 (13st GA)
Taipingsi
(Det. 1) Z-9WA
LH92txx 77th Army Aviation 7
Lhasa/Dongguan Various
(LH9Pxtx) Brigade (Det.)

75
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

77th Army Aviation

LH972txx Nyingzhi Mi-17 Former 2nd Army Aviation Brigade, Det. 3 ( 13st GA)
Brigade (Det. 2)
77th Army UAV
BZK-007
Battalion

Former Army Aviation Flight Training Base, 1st Regiment

HC-120,
LH9081xx 1st Army Aviation (LH90txx);
Yibin Mi-8,
(unconf.) Training Brigade also known as Yinbin Training Base;
Z-9
in 2017, the Flight Training Base was reorganised
Former Army Aviation Flight Training Base, 4th Regiment
LH9084xx 4th Army Aviation HC-120, (LH90txx);
Wenshui
(unconf.) Training Brigade Z-11 also known as Wenshui Training Base;
in 2017, the Flight Training Base was reorganised
Forward operational bases at Jiajiang (this airbase used to house CJ6 aircraft of the PLAAF 2nd Flight College), Lhasa/Dongguan, Lhasa/Gonggar and
Zunyi-Xinzhou (also PLAAF?)

► A map of the Western Theater

Command, including combat radii
of the relevant helicopters from
their home bases.
(Map by James Lawrence)

76
 Chapter 6

MONGOLIA

Area ceded by Pakistan to China,

claimed by India
/
Area held by China,
claimed by India
/
---J./'~ ~j
~~

Western
Theater Command

INDIA
✓-~J

?~. L)
So6 thern
~ BANGLADES~ TheateK:omma

Combat radii

e
Key PLAGF Army Aviati on Bases

• TC GF HO
I
II
TC GF HQ - Lanzhou
76th GA - Xining
Z- lOA 210km (113nm) Mi-1 71 E Rad ii

Ill 77 th GA - Chongqing
•
•
Grou p Army HQ

PLAAA Base
3
Wujiaqu
Nga ri
Shule/Baren e Mi-171 E 260km [140nm) Z- l OA Radi i

e
4 Lhasa/Li uwuxiang
5 Dalachi
6 Sichuan /Jiajiang Z-8G 260km (140nm) Z- BG Rad ii
- Dispu ted Borders 7
8
Chengdu/Feng Huang Shan
Chengdu/Ta ipingsi

• Dispu te d Territ ories

9 l hasa/Dongguan
10 Nyi ngzhi
11 Yibin
12 lhasa/Gonggar e S-70C2 590km (3 19n m) S- 70C2 Radi i

77
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Northern Theater Command

The successor to the former Shenyang MR and the Jinan MR became the current
Northern Theater Command, which was founded on 1 February 2016. In line with
Theater Command reorganisations, the NTC faced perhaps the most significant terri-
torial changes, since it was established from provinces formerly assigned to three Mili-
tary Regions: Jinan and Shenyang but also huge parts of the Beijing MR. For example,
it gained responsibility for the Mongolia Autonomous Region (formerly Nei Mongol)
but lost Henan, which was transferred to the CTC. Its main responsibility is focused on
the Korean peninsula and Russia. Its jurisdiction includes the three reorganised Group
Armies (GA): the 78th GA, the 79th GA and the 80th GA.
The TC's joint command headquarters are located in Shenyang but the TC's Ground
Force Headquarters is located at Jinan. Major units currently assigned to the Northern
Theater Command are described on the following pages.

78th LH Brigade
The 78th Group Army was reformed in mid-2017 from the former 6th Group Army as
one of three active GAs belonging to the NTC. Its headquarters is located at Harbin in
Heilongjiang Province. Its corresponding 78th LH Brigade is quite a new unit, that was
founded only in July 2017 and it gained its first own helicopters from the former 80th
LH Brigade aka the 9th LH Regiment.
Few images of helicopters Today it is flying at least four battalion of Mi-171 and Mi-171 V-5, Z-9WNWZ, Z-1 0A
assigned to the 78th LH Brigade and finally Z-19. The new serial numbers were first noted in May 2018.
are available. Seen here are
two Z-19s with a Mi-171 in the
background. 79th LH Brigade
(CMA) The 79th Group Army was the second GA assigned to the NTC established in mid-201 7
from the former 39th GA. It has a history tracing back to the People's Volunteer Army
(PVA) or Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) during the Korean War and has its head-
quarters at Shenyang, Liaoning Province.
The corresponding 79th LH Brigade was established from the former 9th LH Regi-
ment that became the 9th LH Brigade between November 2011 and August 2012. It
comprises at least five battalions of Mi-171 and Mi-171E, Z-8B, Z-9WNWZ, Z- lOA also
Z- lOH and finally Z-19. The new serial numbers were first noted in April 2018.

80th LH Brigade
The 80th Group Army is another relatively old formation originally formed in 1949 as
the 26th Group Army. It too was part of the People's Volunteer Army during the Korean
War. Its headquarters is located at Weifang, Shandong province and the corresponding
80th LH Brigade was established from the former 7th LH Regiment that became the 7th
LH Brigade between November 2011 and November 2012.
It comprises today at least five battalions of Mi-171V-5, Z-8A and Z-8B, Z-9WNWZ,
Z-lOA and Z-19. The new serial numbers were first noted in April 2018.

78
 ' '
~~-
Chapter 6

A late-production Mi-1 ?V-5

assigned to the 79th LH Brigade
during an exercise unloading
an armoured BxB all-terrain
vehicle.
(Tan Changjun via chinamil)

Severa l Z-BB from the 80th

LH Brigade undergo field
ma intenance; this is a common
sight at PLA Army airfields.
(via PDF)

Field maintenance for the

regular 12 Z-l0A assigned to
the 80th LH Brigade together
with two Z-8Bs in the
background.
(Li Oiguang via chinamil)

79
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Mi-17V-5, Former 9th Arm y Aviation Brigade (39th GA, LH99txx) based at
Mi-171, Jiamusi;
78th Army Aviation
LH961 txx Baicheng Z-9WZ, new formation with serial numbers unconfirmed, still expanding;
Brigade (78th GA)
Z- lOH, this brigade started operation in 2017, initially using helicopters
Z-19 from 80th Brigade
BZK-006,
? 78th Army UAV Dadui ?
BZK-007
HO Shenyang
Mi-171,
Former 9th Army Aviation Brigade (39th GA, LH99txx);
Mi-171E,
status unc lear; brigade may have moved to Xinjiang Military
Z-SB,
79th Army Aviation District in WTC;
LH962txx Liaoyang Z-9W
Brigade (77th GA) the brigade relocated from Shenyang-Dongta to Liaoyang;
Z-9WA,
in 2017, the 39th GA was reorganised into 79th GA with 9th LH
Z-10H,
Brigade becoming 79th LH Brigade
Z-19
Mi-171,
Mi-171 E,
Z-SB,
79th Army Aviation Fengcheng
LH962txx Z-9W,
Brigade (77th GA) (Det.) Shi
Z-9WA,
Z-l0H,
Z-19
BZK-006,
? 79th Army UAV Dadui Liaoyang
BZK-007
HQWeifang
Mi-17V-5,
Z-SA,
Z-SB, Former 7th Army Aviation Brigade (26th GA, LH97txx);
80th Army Aviation
LH963txx Liaocheng Z-9W, in 2017, the 26th GA was reorganised into 80th GA with
Brigade (80th GA)
Z-9WZ, 7th LH Regiment becoming 80th LH Brigade
Z-lOA,
Z-19
Forward operational bases at Hailar/Southwest

80
 Chapter 6

RUSSIA

MONGOUA

Northern
Theater Command

Key PLAGF Army Aviation Bases Combat radii

•
e TC GF HQ

Group Army HQ
1

11
TC GF HO - Jinan

78th GA - Harbin
e Z-l 0H 210km (113nm)

• PLAAA Base

China ADIZ
111 79th GA - Shenyang

IV

2
80th GA - Weifang

Baicheng

Liaoyang
e Mi- 171E /V5 260km (140nm)

- Japan ADIZ Mi-171 E Rad ii

3 Fengcheng Shi A map of the Northern Theater
- South Korea ADIZ Command, including combat
4 Liaocheng
Z-10A Radii radii of the relevant helicopters
- Taiwa n ADIZ 5 Hailar/Southwest
from their home bases.
(Map by James Lawrence)

81
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Central Theater Command

Succeeding the former Beijing Military Region, the current Central Theater Com-
mand was founded on 1 February 2016. Similar to some other TCs, the CTC also faced
major changes during the TC reorganisations, since it lost and gained responsibility
for several provinces. For example, it gained responsibility for Henan province from
the former Jinan MR, the province of Hubei from the former Guangzhou MR but lost
responsibility for the Mongolia Autonomous Region (formerly Nei Mongol), which was
transferred to the NTC. Its jurisdiction today includes three reorganised Group Armies
(GA): the 81st GA, the 82nd GA and the 83rd GA.
Its joint command headquarters are located in Beijing and the TC's Ground Force
Headquarters is located at Shijiazhuang. Major units currently assigned to the Central
Theater Command are described on the following pages.

81st LH Brigade
The 81st Group Army was reformed in June 2017 from the former 65th Group Army as
one of three active group armies belonging to the former Beijing Military Region. Its
headquarters is located at Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province. The corresponding 81st LH
Brigade was established from the former 4th LH Regiment, which was directly subor-
dinate to the General Staff, that became the 4th LH Brigade between December 2011
and February 2012. The new serial numbers were first noted in January 2018.
PLA Fong-Lei or
'Wind and Thunder' This unit is quite a speciality in PLA Army Aviation service since it is the only unit
demonstration team logo operating a dedicated fixed wing component flying Y-7, Y-SC and since December 2016
also Y-9 transports. Also helicopter detachments assigned to UNAMID missions were
drawn from this unit and it is responsible for the sole PLA Army Aviation Aerial dem-
onstration team, the 'Wind and Thunder'.
Today the 81st LH Brigade is operating at least five battalions of fixed wing types,
Mi-171, Mi-171E, Mi-171V-5 and V-7, Z-9WA/WZ, Z-lOA and Z-19.

82nd LH Brigade
The 82nd Group Army is the second GA assigned to the CTC and was established in
mid-2017 from the former 38th Group Army. Its headquarters is located at Baoding,
Hebei Province. The corresponding 82nd LH Brigade was originally established as the
former 8th LH Regiment that became the 8th LH Brigade between September 2011 and
January 2012. It comprises at least four battalions of Z-SB and now Z-SG, Z-9WNWZ,
Z-lOH and Z-19, while its former Mi-171 and Mi-171E were transferred to the 161st Air
Assault Brigade in December 2017.
The new serial numbers were first noted in January 2018. There are currently
unconfirmed reports, this unit might be the first LH Brigade to gain the new Z-20.

161st Air Assault Brigade

Similar to the 121st Air Assault Brigade in the STC, the 83rd Group Army has a non-
standard army aviation unit assigned in the fom1 of the 161st Air Assault Brigade. The
83rd GA is the third GA assigned to the CTC and it too was established in mid-2017
from the former 54th Group Army. Its headquarters is located at Xinxiang, Henan Prov-
ince. The corresponding 161st Air Assault Brigade was originally established as the
former 1st LH Regiment that became the 1st LH Brigade between December 2011 and

82
Chapter 6

These Z- lOAs belong to t he sole

PLA Army Aviation helicopter
aeroba tic team. It became
operational in 2015 and uses
standard Z-lOAs and a few
Z-19s.
(via Top.81 Forum)

Opera tional Z-20s, assigned the

the 161 st Air Assaul t Brigade,
were noted for t he first time in
May 2019.
(via haohanfw.com)

Like the second PLA Army

Aviation air assault brigade in
the ETC, the 161 st also operates
a few Z-8Gs in the transport
role.
(via chinamil)

83
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

March 2012. It comprises at least five battalions of several Mi-171 variants, it gained
from the 82nd LH Brigade in December 2017, Z-SG, Z-9WNWZ, Z-lOH and Z-19. Z-20s
were confirmed in service for the first time in May 2019. The new serial numbers were
first noted in January 2018.

Mi'.l'. ra 1 ffe::R- , 2 ~ If ::R-, 3 JirL*, 4 Pt 'i'* , 5 Mi '.l'. Aft:'i'*' , 6. I A.¥.*' , UMt::R- , 8 :®,1/, Mt Mt
Rt~~~*' ' 9 ~•*' ' M~ ::R-$ ♦ ~*'ffl~
2 BLASKO, D. J., 'What is Known and Unlmown about Changes to the PLA's Ground Combat Units', China

Biief, Volume 17, Issue 7, 11 May 2017

(https://jamestown.org/program/lmown-unknown-changes-plas-ground-combat-units/)
3 KANIA, E. B., 'Chinese Advances in Unmanned Systems and the Military Applications of Artificial Intelligence
- the PLA's Trajectory towards Unmanned, 'Intelligentized' Warfare', The Long Teim Strategy (}roup , 23
February 2017 (https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/Kania_Testimony.pdf)
4 BLASKO, D. J., 'Recent Developments in the Chinese Ar·my's Helicopter Force, China Briqf, Volume 17, Issue
8, 9 June 2017,
(https://jamestown.org/program/recent-developments-chinese-arrnys-helicopter-force/)

Aviation units assigned to the Central Theater Command

Y-7-200, Y-7H,
Y-8C
Former 4th Army Aviation Brigade (65th GA, LH94txx and
Y-9A;
LH990txx);
Mi-171,
in 2011 the unit's SA342s were transferred to a training
Mi-171E
81 st Army Aviation brigade;
LH951txx Tongxian Mi-171 E Salon
Brigade (81 st GA) in 2017 the 65th GA was reorganised into 81st GA with
Mi-17V-5
4th LH Regiment becoming 81 st LH Brigade;
Mi-17V-7 Salon
at Tongxia n, south of Beijing, the fixed wing component of
Z-9WA,
the PLA Army Aviation is based
Z-10A,
Z-1 9
Z-9WA,
Wind and Thunder
LH990txx Tongxian Z-10A Former serial numbers LH94txx
Aerobatic Team
Z-19
BZK-006
? 81 st Army UAV Battalion ?
BZK-007
HQBaoding
Z-8B,
Z-8G, Former 8th Army Aviation Brigade (38th GA, LH98txx);
Z-9, in 2017 the 38th GA was reorganised into 82nd GA with
Z-9W, 8th LH Regiment becoming 82nd LH Brigade;
82nd Army Aviation
LH952txx Baoding Z-9WA, new serial numbers unconfirmed;
Brigade (82nd GA)
Z-9 (EW), in December 2017 the Mi-171 /Mi-171 E were transferred
Z-10H, to the 161 st Assault Brigade;
Z-19, reportedly to gain Z-20
Z-20 (unconf.)
BZK-006,
? 82nd Army UAV Battalion ?
BZK-007

84
 Chapter 6

HOXinxiang
Mi-17,
Mi-17V-5,
Mi-171, Former 1st Army Aviation Brigade (54th GA, LH91txx);
Mi-171 E, sometimes stil l known as the 83rd Helicopter Assau lt
161st Air Assau lt Brigade Z-8G, Brigade;
LH953txx Xinxiang
(83rd GA) Z-9W, in 2017, the 54th GA was reorganised into 83rd GA with
Z-9WA, 1st LH Regiment becoming 161st Air Assault Brigade;
Z- lOA, Mi-171 /M i-1 71 E from 82nd Brigade were received.
Z-1 9,
Z- 20
BZK-006,
? 83rd Army UAV Battalion ?
BZK-007
HQ ?
Former Army Aviation Flight Training Base, 2nd Regiment
HCl 20 (unconf.)
LH9082xx 2nd Army Aviation (LH904xx); also known as Houma Tra ining Base;
Houma SA342 (retired)
(unconf.) Train ing Brigade in 2017, the Flight Training Base was reorganised, with a
Z-11
change to six- digit serial numbers

Former Army Aviation Flight Training Base, 3rd Regiment

(LH904xx and LH908xx);
LH9083xx 3rd Army Aviation HC120, also known as Shansi/Linfin Tra ining Base;
Linfen
(unconf.) Train ing Brigade Z- 11 in 2005 the SA316 was replaced by HCl 20 ;
in 2017, the flight training base was reorgan ised;
base also known as Shansi/Linfin
HQ ?
Former Army Aviation Flight Training Base 4th Regiment
LH9084xx 4th Army Aviation HC- 120,
Wenshui (LH90txx) ; also known as Wenshui Training Base ;
(unconf.) Training Brigade Z-11
in 2017 , the Flight Training Base was reorganised

Training units directly subordinated to the HQ General Staff Department

Alouette Ill ,
77
Helicopters are used for ground instruction on ly;
Army Aviation Academy Tongzhou Mi-8,
base also known as Beij ing/Tongzhou
Z-9
Airbase was const ructed in 2013 and is close to the main
Beijing MR Army training grounds at Zhurihezhen;
?? ?? Zhurihe
this brigade-size airbase is used for Army Aviation
detachments during exercises
This base opened in 2017 and is located close to the major
Zhurihe/
?? ?? army t raining grounds ;
Barracks
assignments on ly for exercises
Forward operational bases at Baoji and Xishanbeixiang (Tong Lin Chuan)

85
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

A map of the Central Theater

Command, includ ing combat
radii of the rel evant helicopters MONGOLIA
from their home bases.
(Map by James La wrence)

Northern
Thea ter
Command

---

West
Theat
Co

PLAG F Army Aviation Bases Combat radii

I
II
Ill
IV
TC GF HQ - Shijiazhuang
81 st GA HQ - Shijiazhuang
82nd GA HQ - Baoding
83rd GA HQ - Xinxiang
e Z-l 0A 21 0km (113nm) Mi- 171E Rad ii

Key
1

4
5
Tongxian
Baoding
Xinxiang
Houma
Unfen
e Mi- 171E 260km (140nm) Z- lOA Ra dii

e
6 Zhurihe
• TC GF HO 8 Baoji

• Group Arm y HQ
9 Xishanbei xiang
(Tong Lin Chuan)
Z- 8G 260km (140nm) Z-BG Radii

• PLAAA Base
10 Wenshui

86
PARAMILITARY ASSETS

Besides the regular PLA Army Aviation - and as such quite similar to the Chapter 9
in the Naval Aviation book concerning the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), the
China Coast Guard (CCG) and the China Marine Surveillance (CMS) - comparable par-
amilitary law enforcement agencies are responsible for China's national border safety.
These border guard agencies are regularly the General Administration of Customs, the
Ministry of Public Security and especially the People's Armed Police, which executes People's Armed Pol ice flag
China's border patrol and control functions in remote regions. In principle, Chinese
paramilitary forces can be seen as being composed of three main forces, the regu-
lar People's Liberation Army reserve force, the Militia and the People's Armed Police
(PAP). Both the militia - the peacetime roles of which include assising in border pro-
tection, undergoing military training, and defending China's frontiers but which would
act as a reserve supply for mobilisation, to provide logistical support and to conduct
guerrilla operations behind enemy lines in wartimes - and the regular reserve - will
not be covered in this chapter since they do not have own aerial assets.
According to the PRC's constitution, the PAP is one of three integral elements of
the Chinese armed forces and acts independently along with the regular People's Lib-
eration Army (PLA) and the militia with the reserve forces. All these different border People's Armed Police official
defence forces act as auxiliaries to the regular active forces of the PLA. As of 2018, the armband
paramilitary had 17,835,000 troops.

*
Chinese People's Armed Police Force
(o/ 00 A Ri ~ tf $ ~ fR, PAP)
The only truly relevant force for this chapter is the Chinese People's Anned Police
Force (PAP), since it operates a decent fleet of own helicopters. In principle, the PAP Chinese People's Armed Police
is a paramilitary police force - one could say a gendarrnerie - primarily responsible for Force (CAPF) cap insignia
law enforcement and internal security nationwide during peacetime.
Also falling into its responsibility is maritime law enforcement and maritime rights
protection. As such it is closely connected to the Coast Guard and China Marine Sur-
veillance (CMS) under the leadership of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) for
maritime issues. The PAP Headquarters is under the leadership and command of the
Ministry of Public Security.
The China's National Defence White Paper published in 2006 claimed that the total
strength of the PAP was 1.5 million people.

87
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

History and mission

Officially the PAP was established as an own force only on 19 June 1982. However,
the origins of certain PAP units extend back to the founding of the regular People's
Liberation Army on 1 August 1949. 1 Even if both were responsible together for the
defence from foreign forces and to guarantee internal security, it soon became appar-
ent that different troops were required for these two very much different missions. As
a consequence, the civil related security functions were removed from the PLA and
A red/orange painted AC313 transferred to the so-called Public Security Forces, which was set under the adminis-
- also known as Z-BAWJS - tration of the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China (MPS, If$
assigned to the PAP Forestry ) dt#-;fP00 0:'t-iW). Anyway, a certain mix of operations and responsibilities always
Command, 2nd Battalion, remained, which is also apparent by the uniforms, which are olive green in contrast to
Sichuan Corps.
(Fengjian via CDF) the civil police officers in public security and other law enforcement agencies.
In the end, after several changes in organisational structure, assigned command and
even names, the PAP as known today was founded in 1982 by an amalgamation of the
PLA's border control units and fire department, as well as certain units from the Minis-
try of Public Security. Especially the fear for growing public unrest - which erupted in
the Tiananmen protests - was the main reason in order to professionalise the security
apparatus. Especially since these riots in 1989, the status and importance of the PAP
have rapidly grown so that in case there was any domestic upheaval, the PAP evolved
to the PRC's main force in charge of the domestic security and social stability.
Another reason was to absorb numerous PLA demobilised personnel. As mentioned
above, the PAP's responsibility also included maritime law enforcement and maritime
rights protection via the China Coast Guard (CCG), which was only separated in 2013.
Quite surprisingly, there were reports since March 2018, to reassign the Coast Guard
back to the PAP, since the original State Oceanic Administration (SOA) has been dis-
banded and its former functions should be placed under that of the newly formed
Ministry of Natural Resources. 2
The PAP's mission is primary related to internal security, which includes most of
all authority to respond to riots, terrorist attacks or other emergencies, as well as to
guard government buildings, foreign embassies and consulates. Another duty is coun-
ter-terrorism and handling of public emergencies for which the PAP maintains several
dedicated units like the famous 'Snow Wolf Commando Unit' (SWCU) specialised for
In contrast to all other PAP tactical counter-terrorism, riot control, and other special tasks such as anti-hijacking
units, the Xinjiang Corps and bomb disposal. 3
Helicopter Battalion operated its The PAP is also called upon in emergency rescue and disaster relief operations
Z-9As in a two-tone tan/brown
within the PRC via the specialist and public security forces which can be forward
colour scheme for some time.
Uz.chinami l via CDF) deployed during such operations. Before the latest reform until late 2017, the Trans-
portation Corps - now part of the Specialist Corps - was responsible in construct-
ing and maintaining highways and roads, fighting forest fires and constructing large
scale waterworks like dams. Operationally PAP units are comparable to division-sized
mechanised infantry units or rapid deployment light motorised infantry units, which
until 31 December 2017 were set under a dual command structure including the all-
important Central Military Commission (CMC) and the State Council through the
Ministry of Public Security. As mentioned, in peacetime it has regularly been a civil
agency, however in time emergency its troops/forces would be transferred under the
command of the regular PLA Ground Forces and act as light infantry to support the

88
 Chapter 7

A Z-8AWJ - de facto a variant

of the civil Avicopter AC313 -
assigned to the Xinjia ng Corps
He licopter Ba tta lion in the older
white/ol ive colour scheme.
(Fengj Jian)

PLA in the same way, the Coast Guard would be placed under operational control of
the People's Liberation Anny Navy.

Structure - 2018 reform 4• 5

Similar to several other organisations including the Coast Guard and SOA, the PAP
was also restructured by the end of 2017, allegedly in order to strengthen the central
government's influence and the party's leadership over its armed forces including the
armed police. One major reason was clearly to deprive local party authorities, which
sometimes committed abused the powers of the PAP for its own purposes, including
even against the central leadership in Beijing.
Following the new structure, local authorities will request for central approval in
order to deploy the PAP. A first reform was issued on 1 January 2018, when the PAP's
command was transferred from the State Council now to be jointly held by the Central
Military Commission and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
Another major - and especially for this chapter most important - change was related
to its organisational structure. The formerly divided eight corps were reorganised and
reassigned to different ministries and agencies, so that in the end only the Internal In early 2019 the Z-8AWJ
Guards remain of what is generally understood as the People's Am1ed Police. helicopters assigned to the
PAP Helicopte r Battalions
gai ned a new colou r scheme as
Corpses of the People's Armed Police prior to the 2018 reform:
demonstrated by this example.
Eight corps of PAP prior to . (via PDF)
reform Under the command of/reassigned through the 2018 reform
2018
under PAP Headquarters and reports to the CMC Et Central
Internal Guard
Committee; makes up for the bu lk of PAP
Gold
under joint leadership of PAP Headquarters and their respective
Forestry
ministries in the State Council;
Hydro power
known as the Specialist Corps
Transportation
Border Defence
under direct supervision of the Ministry of Public Security;
Firefighting
known as the Public Security Corps
Safeguard Corps

89
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Another second reform was issued on 21 March 20186, when the Central Commit-
tee of the Communist Party of China presented a plan to remove all non-combatant
elements of the PAP - aka now the Specialist Corps and the Public Security Corps
Emblem of the PAP helicopter - to transfer them into civil service and to place them under the management of civil
force administrations including public security and emergency response regulators. It was
also decided to to re-consolidate the China Coast Guard back into the PAP This pro-
cess is allegedly still ongoing and not much more has become pubic since this formal
announcement from March 2018. So far, the only remaining component of the Special-
ist Corps will be the Transportation Corps.
Otherwise, PAP contingents are assigned at province level (autonomous region or
Emblem of the Forest Police/Fire municipality directly under the central government with the exception of Macau and
Department force Hong Kong) as so-called Internal Guard Zongdui (,~, IR), which are equivalent to a reg-
ular PLA division. The next smaller subunit stationed at the prefectural level is called
an Internal Guard Zhidui (J!z. lR ), which is equivalent to a PLA regiment and finally
an Internal Guard Dadui (JCIR), which is equivalent to a PLA battalion or an Internal
Guard Zhongdui ( o/ IR), equivalent to a PLA company are stationed at the county level.
Usually, except the division sized provincial troop, most PAP units are small and
scattered along the border. Anyway, PAP corps in provinces, municipalities and auton-
omous regions are well equipped with comprehensive combat command systems inte-
grating the use of computers and telecommunications technology to guarantee com-
munications between the duty posts nationwide, and with their Beijing-based head-
quarters. Advanced armoured carriers, multi-functional refueling trucks, field water-
supply vehicles, and other kinds of equipment have also helped enhance the combat
capability of the armed police. In 1996 it was noted that 14 regular PLA field divisions
were restructured into the PAP
In summary, some observers even compare the Chinese 'Armed Police' with the US
National Guards, since its role is not only strictly a civil one but also acting as reserve
force to regular army. Especially the PAP's Internal Guards Corp roles are therefore
unlike the civilian police ones and since they remain under strict control of the CMC, it
is part of China's military. This would also explain the latest changes in paint schemes.

Similar to the China Maritime

Current aircraft fleet and future plans
Safety Administration/Coast
Guard aviation units, the regular In contrast to the maritime forces, which suffer a lack of overall numbers of aircraft
Z-SAWJ/WJs are complemented and helicopters, PAP aerial assets are quite well equipped with several Z-8 and Z-9 heli-
by the smaller Z-9WJ in PAP
copters. The use of fixed wing assets is not confirmed.
Helicopter Battalions.
(CDF) Until the 2017/18 reorganisation, there have been two different users within the
PAP: the first were the regular PAP forces assigned to the Internal Guard units, which
have Z-8A and also a few more modem Z-8AWJ - more or less an AC313 - and Z-9 and
Z-9WJ comparable to the civil H425 in service. These helicopters are painted white
with olive drab undersides, wear the 'Chinese Armed Police' (o/ 00 ffk:.1') name in red
Chinese characters as well as the PAP's emblem on the fuselage. Red serial numbers
with six numbers starting with WJxxxxx are painted on the tail boom.
It seems as if these units were repainted in dark green/olive with only red serial
numbers and 'Am1ed Police' (jjl;;t') name in red Chinese characters visible. In addi-
tion, the former PAP emblem was replaced by the People's Armed Police Flag.

90
 Chapter 7

The second scheme and livery is used by the PAP Forestry Troops. In contrast to the
military police style colour of the regular PAP, these helicopters were usually painted in
bright orange with white cheatlines. They wear the 'Chinese Armed Police' ( cf 00 ~ is-)
name in white Chinese characters as well as the PAP's Forestry Troops emblem on the
fuselage. White serial numbers with six numbers, again starting with WJxxxxx, are
painted on the tail boom. In early 2019 it was noted, as expected, that the former PAP
title was changed from 'Chinese Armed Police' to 'Chinese Emergency' ( cf 00 /ti t- ) For years, the status of
the XlW5 WIG craft was
unconfirmed, but in April 2019
Border Defense Corps (:ift ~ff~ IR) the Ministry of National Defense
released new footage showing a
former People's Armed Pol ice Border Defense Corps modern lightweight hovercraft
on pa trol on a boundary lake
at Xi ng ka i between China and
Always one of the least known services, the current status of the Border Defense Russia. It suggests the XTW-5s
have already been retired and
Corps, which is now part of the Public Security Corps, is not known. Prior to the 2018 replaced by these more versatile
reform, its main duty was to guard China's land and sea borders including ports and hovercraft.
airports and to perform border patrols and surveillance activities to prevent crack- (Li Minghua via Chinamil.com)
down on illegal and criminal acts in border and coastal areas, such as illegal border
crossing, smuggling and drug trafficking.
With the transfer in 2018 into the civil service and demilitarisation its current status
is unclear even if for years, there was/is at least one special unit available. Based at
Dangbizhen ajacent to the Lake Xingkai - or Lake Khanka as it is known in Russian -
on the border between Primorsky Krai, Russia and Heilongjiang province, Northeast
China, this border control unit is equipped with less than a handful of dark blue col-
oured XTW-5 WlGs, which besides a national flag instead of the regular PLA insignia
only carry white serial numbers.

PLA Border Defence Troops

SX59x 1 Patrol Boat Squadron 'Jiamusi' Dangbizhen XTW-5 Regular with 78th GA, NTC

SHAMBAUGH, D. L. (2004). Modernising China's mili tary: progress, pro blems, and prospects. University of
California Press. p 170.
2 TATE, A. , (June 26, 2018). 'Control over China Coast Guard to be transferred to CMC'. Jane's Infonnation
Group. Legislation passed by the ational People's Congress (NPC) on 22 June will implement changes
announced in March that the CCG will come under the control of the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF)
and, ultimately, the command of China's Central Military Commission (CMC).
3 BLASKO, D. J., The Chinese Army today : tradi tion and tran~format.ionf or the 21st century (2nd ed.), (Lon-
don: Routledge, 2006) ISBN 978-0-4157700-2-6.
4 Global Times, 'Armed police to be conu11anded by CPC Central Cornntittee, CMC', www.GlobalTimes. cn,
retrieved 28 December 201 7
5 Z HAO, L EI (28 D ecember 201 7). 'Command of Ar med Police Force to be unified,- Chi nadai ly. com.cn',
China D aily, r etrieved 26 Januai-y 201 8
6 N I, W EI (2018-04-06). 'w'..~~:f.B'J t1J Ej Jit : J\.;kt'#Jlit-fitW [17i e Coming and Going of the PAP
Reform : Eight Cor ps Slimming D own} . The B eijing News. Retrieved 201 8-06-19.

91
 Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Aircraft and Units

Armed Police

No units

Southern Theater Command HQ?

Activated on 22 September 2015;
WJ5 1880x Hunan Corps/ Z-BWJS (12).
Zhengtang regular with 82nd GA. CTC; also reported at Xiangyin;
WJ51890x Helicopter Battalion Z-9WJS (12)
also known as 2nd Mobile Corps Helicopter Det.

WJ56080x, Z-8WJS (12),

Sich ua n Corps/ Status unconfirmed;
WJ56090x, Deyang Z-9WJS (12),
Helicopter Battalion regular with 77th GA, WTC; also known as Deyang, Sichuan
WJ5603xx Z-8WJS (12?)
Sichuan Corps
In 2013, the serial numbers changed from WJS9100x;
Helicopter Battalion,
regular at Sichuan HCB, WTC; also known as Daqing Heshi;
WJ56080x Helicopter Daqing Z-8WJS (4)
the battalion is based on a separate part of the airfield on the
Detachment/
north-eastern side
1st Battalion
Sichuan Corps
The 2nd Sqn was operating from Anning, Yunnan Province;
Helicopter Battalion,
Z-BAWJS (4), regular with Sichuan HCB, WTC;
WJ5603xx Helicopter Machang
Z-9WJS (4) also known as Forestry Command Heli copter Det./2nd Battalion
Detachment/
at Anning, Yu nnan
2nd Squadron
7xx Mi-171E (12),
Xinjiang Corps/ Urumqi/
WJ52730x Z-8AWJ (12). Regular with 77th GA. WTC
Helicopter Battalion Shuimogou
WJ00x Z-9WJ (12)
Xinjiang Forest Fire Z-8WJS (4),
?? ?? Regular with 77th GA. WTC
Protection Dept. Z-9WJS (4)

Norther!'l Jheater Co!flfnand

Also re ported to be at Jinan or at Pingyin;
WJ5 1480x, Jinan Corps/ Z-8WJS (12),
Huangzhuang also known as Shandong Corps Helicopter Detachment;
WJ51490x Helicopter Battalion Z-9WJS (12)
regular with 80th GA, NTC

7
Armed Forest Police Z-8WJS (12), Apparently HQ ct training centre for the Armed Forest Police;
Jiagedaqi
Heli copter Dept. Z-9WJS (12) regular with 78th GA, NTC

Central Jfieatet Command

WJ52880x Ningxia Corps/ Z-8WJS (12),
Ningxia Regular with ?? GA, CTC
WJ52890x Helicopter Battalion Z-9WJS (12)
Regular with 83rd GA, CTC;
WJ50480x Shanxi Corps Taiyuan/Wujing Z-8WJS (12),
also known as Taiyuan/Wusu or Taigu;
WJ50490x Helicopter Battalion Taiyuan Jichang Z-9WJS (12)
also known as PAP 1st Mobile Corps Helicopter Detachment
Jingzhong Forest Fire Z-8WJS (4), Former Shanxi Corps Helicopter Battalion;
?? Taiyuan/Wusu
Protection Dept. Z-9WJS (4) regular with 83rd GA, CTC
Kunming Forest Fire Z-8WJS (4), Former Shanxi Corps Helicopter Battalion;
?? Taiyuan/Wusu
Protection Dept. Z-9WJS (4) regular with 83rd GA, CTC

92
 Chapter 7

n
j i
/j
c_l
✓
/
•8

( I~
\{
-,,-,
"'-J
•

• Northern
Theater Command

10 11

·,
Wistern
_s __ ::
Theater Command ., Central
__ !,, Theater Command
',
"-,__ ,-,

•
3
\
f/1$(

ChinaS"-'1

,\ ,, -,v'; --"-...-'i,/-, ... ,, ...•''vi

',/ • ·,; Eastern
n X/" 2
/ Theater t
r}' ~--'\. __-~~ (., C d
\- omman
\.... _,-,) Southern
Theater Command ;_.,(~_...,-,r---\
',
P>:,•ipµ •·~
51"<1

0 5.:'i;i/i,
OmmSl!r.

This map shows all known

Key Aviation Bases OrUmqi/Shuimogou
7 Huangzhuan g
bases under responsibil ity of
• PLA Border Defence Troops I
2
Dangbizhen
Zhengtang 8 Jiagedaqi
9 Ningxia
paramilitary forces includ ing the
regular Armed Pol ice, the Forest
• Armed Police
4
Deyang
Daqing 10 Ta iyuan/Wujing
Ta iyuan Jichang Police/Fire Departments and the
• Forrest Police/Fire Depa rtments 5 Machang
11 Ta iyuan/Wusu
PLA Border Defence Troops.
(Ma p by James Lawrence)

93
ISBN 978-0-9973092-8-7

111111
9 780997 309287
www.harpia-publishing.com