Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has started replacing its Russian-made Mi-17 series helicopters with locally-made Z-20 choppers in transport roles for PLA troops.
During a recent PLA exercise, “the Mi-171 transport helicopter that is common with Chinese army was not spotted. Except for a small number of 13-ton Z-8G helicopters, the most choppers used in this exercise are Z-20 helicopters, Chinese military publication, Chinamil.cn reportered.
China’s domestically-developed Z-20 and Z-8G helicopters have become the standard equipment of the air assault brigade. This also reflects the general trend that the Z-20 is replacing the Mi-17 series, it said.
However, the PLA could have ordered the new Russian assault chopper, Mi-171Sh. A Tv program, China’s Phoenix, displayed visuals of a Russian helicopter factory with Mi-171Sh helicopters that were painted with PLA colour scheme and markings in September 2020.
The Mi-171Sh is an assault helicopter. The helicopters are armed with a Shturm-V high-precision guided missile system. The missile system is capable of destroying modern battle tanks.
If reports of a new order for Mi-171Sh are true, it indicates that while for troop transport roles, the Z-20 is suitable, for assault roles, it still depends on Russian helicopters for their superior performance over Chinese assault helicopters.
