The Pakistan Army Aviation Corps (PF) officially unveiled the Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC) Z-10ME attack helicopter during a ceremony at Multan Army Aviation Base on 2 August 2025.
By Jarryd Sinovich
This marks the first confirmed appearance of the Z-10ME in Pakistan after years of speculation. The helicopter displayed is reportedly part of an initial batch—exact numbers remain undisclosed—delivered to the PF. The Z-10ME is an export variant of China’s original Z-10 attack helicopter.
The aircraft is assigned to the 404th Army Aviation Combat Group (404th AA(CBT)G). While the specific squadron has not been officially confirmed, some reports suggest the 33rd Army Aviation Combat Squadron (Air Wolves). However, images from the ceremony also show the hangars of the 33rd AA(CBT)sq Panzer and 35th AA(CBT)sq Air Mustangs in the background, adding to the uncertainty.
The Z-10ME will enhance the PF’s capabilities in Close Air Support (CAS), Counter-Insurgency (COIN), border security, armed reconnaissance, and anti-armor operations.
Rumors about the Z-10 acquisition date back several years, with a likely contract for the Z-10A variant signed in early 2022. For a long time, the only evidence was grainy images and alleged sightings, often dismissed as photoshopped or tied to evaluation trials. A first batch of Z-10MEs is believed to have been delivered by 2023.
Previously, Pakistan relied on aging AH-1F Cobra helicopters for attack missions. The introduction of the Z-10ME significantly modernizes Pakistan’s rotary-wing combat capabilities.
