Pakistan has started receiving Z-10ME attack helicopters from China as part of its effort to modernize its tactical rotary-wing capabilities. Although the transfer has not been officially confirmed by either government, multiple sources—including verified imagery and video—show the helicopters with Pakistan Army markings.
The acquisition comes as Pakistan looks to replace its decades-old fleet of US-supplied AH-1F Cobra helicopters, which have been in service since the 1980s. In 2015, Washington approved a sale of AH-1Z Viper helicopters, but the deal stalled amid worsening US-Pakistan relations.
This impasse allowed China to step in with the export version of its domestically developed Z-10 helicopter. After years of speculation, new evidence suggests the program has advanced beyond testing, and the aircraft are now being inducted into active service.
