Z-10 ME/P deliveries Updates: Pakistan Army Aviation.

Agreed and Turkey and China and Italy if they have their own helicopter engines the way forward.

Well seems China have edge here & have all answers i.e.
  • Indigenous Engines
  • Strong Industrial support
  • Already inducted in numbers (PLAA/PLAAF/PLAAN)

Outside of gunships any reason why we cannot just standardize on 5 types? Currently we have 12 (non Gunship) types!

All we need is

Enstor 280 - Training
AS350 - Light transport/Observation
Bell 412 - Medium transport/Training
AW139 - Medium transport
MI-17 - Heavy transport

And following will complement...
  • Z9Ds - Light Transport
  • Z20s - Medium Transport
  • Z8L/G - Heavy Transport
 
Well seems China have edge here & have all answers i.e.
  • Indigenous Engines
  • Strong Industrial support
  • Already inducted in numbers (PLAA/PLAAF/PLAAN)



And following will complement...
  • Z9Ds - Light Transport
  • Z20s - Medium Transport
  • Z8L/G - Heavy Transport
Turkish own helicopter has also entered mass production phase. So now Turkey is back in the game. Plus, they are also using Ukraine Helicopter Engines.
 
Turkish own helicopter has also entered mass production phase. So now Turkey is back in the game. Plus, they are also using Ukraine Helicopter Engines.

In contrast to China, Turkey continues to rely on various US/EU components along with engines, and their industry base is very young.

Additionally, Pakistan has implemented a policy not to induct any systems that prone to sanctions in the wake of the T129 fiasco.
 
Even MI-17s must be getting old now too
In this case, old=/=obsolete.

At the end of the day the airframe itself is just a platform of subcomponents, which can be replaced, added, and overhauled. The airframe of the Mi-8/Mi-17 is still a powerful and versatile one.

What it could need is some upgrades (if it’s at all needed). If pakistan would want it to take on a more risky air assault role like Mi-8 AMTSh, then a new engine with IR signature suppression, MAWS, DIRCM, LWR, Tercom radar, etc would definitely be useful.
 
In this case, old=/=obsolete.

At the end of the day the airframe itself is just a platform of subcomponents, which can be replaced, added, and overhauled. The airframe of the Mi-8/Mi-17 is still a powerful and versatile one.

What it could need is some upgrades (if it’s at all needed). If pakistan would want it to take on a more risky air assault role like Mi-8 AMTSh, then a new engine with IR signature suppression, MAWS, DIRCM, LWR, Tercom radar, etc would definitely be useful.

It is strange how Pakistani forces as a whole tend to relegate helicopter modernisation to a low priority. I understand this from point of view of Army and Air force but Navy is getting very modern ships with no modern choppers (off topic a bit sorry)
 
In this case, old=/=obsolete.

At the end of the day the airframe itself is just a platform of subcomponents, which can be replaced, added, and overhauled. The airframe of the Mi-8/Mi-17 is still a powerful and versatile one.

What it could need is some upgrades (if it’s at all needed). If pakistan would want it to take on a more risky air assault role like Mi-8 AMTSh, then a new engine with IR signature suppression, MAWS, DIRCM, LWR, Tercom radar, etc would definitely be useful.
Army now has depot level maintenance facilities for these helos so I'm sure they are well looked after. Parts is not a issue as they are available all over Eastern Europe. Army has a large fleet 50++.
 
In Limbo

Regarding exports, in April 2015 the US State Department approved an FMS deal for Pakistan that covered 15 AH-1Z Vipers plus Hellfire missiles and associated equipment and support worth up to US$952m. However, as NAVAIR clarified, “In January 2018 President Trump suspended US grant-funded security assistance to Pakistan as a result of Pakistan’s lack of responsiveness to US requests for support of the South Asia strategy. The US consequently suspended delivery of FMF (Foreign Military Financing)- funded military equipment to Pakistan, including AH-1Z attack helicopters. Until a final determination is made on delivery, the aircraft will remain in preservation.”
 
As dusk falls, the Ecureuils from No 8 Army Aviation Sqn gracefully paint the sky with precision and power.
Image Credit: Waqas Shah- Snappers Crew

1706884525450.png
 
In Limbo

Regarding exports, in April 2015 the US State Department approved an FMS deal for Pakistan that covered 15 AH-1Z Vipers plus Hellfire missiles and associated equipment and support worth up to US$952m. However, as NAVAIR clarified, “In January 2018 President Trump suspended US grant-funded security assistance to Pakistan as a result of Pakistan’s lack of responsiveness to US requests for support of the South Asia strategy. The US consequently suspended delivery of FMF (Foreign Military Financing)- funded military equipment to Pakistan, including AH-1Z attack helicopters. Until a final determination is made on delivery, the aircraft will remain in preservation.”
Davis-Monthan AFB aka Boneyard ?
 

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