Editor’s Note (28 October 2026): According to a corporate timeline display shared on Weibo, the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) signed a contract with Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) on 11 July for 30 Z-10ME attack helicopters, plus associated products and services. The display calls the deal the first unit-scale export of a Chinese main attack helicopter. Quwa has not independently verified the display.
On 25 September, a photo emerged on Chinese social media of an apparent fifth Pakistan Army Aviation Corps (PAA) Z-10ME-02 attack helicopter undergoing test flights. The new unit sports the designation number “786-305”, indicating it is the fifth unit.
The PAA formally inducted its first Z-10ME-02 in August 2025, following years of seeking the AH-1Z Viper and T129 ATAK from the United States and Türkiye, respectively.
Manufactured by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC) and sold by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the Z-10ME-02 is an upgraded variant of the Z-10. It features reinforced armour around the canopy and under the fuselage, improved sand and small debris filtration, revised engine exhaust, and improved electronics subsystems.
Currently, the PAA is operating two Z-10ME-02 attack helicopters in its fleet, with orders in place for an undisclosed number of units. However, inferring from the PAA’s past attempts at procuring attack helicopters in the early-2010s, the initial tranche of Z-10ME-02s seems to be in the range of 12 to 15 units. The PAA is likely planning for a total of 45-60 units.
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