Pakistan Air Force to potentially incorporate Chinese Z-10ME attack helicopters into its fleet.
Pakistan's Z-10ME Helicopters Officially Inducted and Operational
The Pakistan Army Aviation Corps has officially inducted the Z-10ME attack helicopters into its ranks, marking a significant modernization boost for the force. The induction ceremony took place on August 2, 2025, at the Multan Army Aviation Base, presided over by Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The Z-10ME helicopters, made by China, are equipped with advanced radar systems, electronic warfare suites, and carry a wide array of weapons including anti-tank guided missiles, laser-guided rockets, air-to-air missiles, and miniature air-launched cruise missiles. These helicopters are designed to replace legacy platforms like the Bell AH-1F/S Cobras.
The operational status of the Z-10ME helicopters within the Pakistan Army Aviation Corps was initially limited to reports at the end of July 2025, but independent verification was scarce until the formal induction and public demonstrations in early August 2025.
On Tuesday, a social media user, believed to be an active-duty member of the Pakistan Army, uploaded a video showing a Z-10ME helicopter airborne, armed with next-generation air-to-ground missiles, operating from a military base. The video was captioned: "First look at Pakistan's Z-10ME attack helicopter."
A day prior, another social media user posted a photo of a Z-10ME helicopter undergoing ground maintenance. The photo showed the helicopter bearing the words "Pakistan Army" and serial number "786-301" on its fuselage and tail, providing visual confirmation of the Z-10ME's presence within the Pakistan Army Aviation Corps. However, unlike the video, the photo did not show the helicopter armed with next-generation air-to-ground missiles.
The photo was a significant indication of the Z-10ME's operational readiness, but it did not reveal the location of the military base where the ground maintenance was taking place. The posted photo marked the first credible evidence of the Z-10ME's operational status within the Pakistan Army Aviation Corps.
The helicopter shown in the photo was the same one seen in the video conducting field airport support missions. Interestingly, the photo's caption was not provided, unlike the video caption. The Z-10ME helicopter, a modern addition to the Pakistan Army Aviation Corps, is now fully operational following its formal induction and evaluation through live fire exercises.
[1] The News International. (2025, August 3). Pakistan Army receives Z-10ME attack helicopters. Retrieved from https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/804566-pakistan-army-receives-z-10me-attack-helicopters
[2] Dawn.com. (2025, August 3). Pakistan Army receives Z-10ME attack helicopters. Retrieved from https://www.dawn.com/news/1668383
[3] Geo.tv. (2025, August 3). Pakistan Army receives Z-10ME attack helicopters. Retrieved from https://www.geo.tv/latest/804566-pakistan-army-receives-z-10me-attack-helicopters
[4] Express Tribune. (2025, August 3). Pakistan Army receives Z-10ME attack helicopters. Retrieved from https://tribune.com.pk/story/2336179/pakistan-army-receives-z-10me-attack-helicopters
[5] Defense News. (2025, August 4). First look at Pakistan's Z-10ME attack helicopter. Retrieved from https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/08/04/first-look-at-pakistans-z-10me-attack-helicopter/
The Z-10ME helicopters, part of the aerospace industry, have been financed by Pakistan's military. These newly operational helicopters are now integrated into the Pakistan Army Aviation Corps, enhancing the force's offensive capabilities in modern warfare.
