Pakistan Army’s Future Helicopter Plans
The Pakistan Army is looking at procuring a new attack helicopter type to enhance its current capabilities as part of a wider modernization of its rotary-winged assault capabilities. Speaking at the IQPC Military Helicopter conference in London, the commander of Pakistan Army Aviation, Major General Nasir D Shah, said that a number of platform options are being considered to augment its current Bell AH-1 Cobras, its already arrived and soon-to-be-inducted Mil Mi¬35s, and its soon to be delivered Bell AH-1Z Viper platforms. “Army Aviation has plans to further enhance its attack helicopter fleets, and various options are currently being considered and evaluated,” Gen Shah said on 31 January. “Army Aviation needs a platform that is suitable for operations in a dusty environment, that can fly at extremely high temperatures while suitably configured [with weapons and sensors], can operate in low visibility [night and ‘brownout’ conditions], that demonstrates ease of maintenance and logistic support, and where depot-level maintenance can be transferred [to Pakistan].” While the general made no reference to the platforms being considered, Pakistan is known to have evaluated the Chinese built Z-10 as far back as 2014, and it was reported by Turkey that a number of its TAI T¬129 attack helicopters had been sent to Pakistan for evaluation in 2016. Besides these two platforms, Pakistan might instead procure additional AH-1Zs to fulfill its requirements. According to Gen Shah, while the current Cobras have proven to be effective over their more¬than¬30-years of service, they are now showing their limitations. “The [current 32] AH-1 helicopters have provided effective close support for our ground forces engaged in counterinsurgency [COIN] operations, but they cannot be employed effectively in high-altitude operations above 8,000 ft,” he noted. In the near-term, the army will help offset these limitations with the four Mi-35s that it ordered from Russian some years ago, and which were delivered to the country in late 2017. “The Mi-35 helicopters have been procured to enhance existing aerial attack capability of army aviation. They are about to be inducted into the army fleet, and our 21 years of Mi-17 [transport helicopter] operations will assist us in the easy adoption of these helicopters,” he said. Due to induction not long after the Mi-35s is the AH-1Z, with the first of 12 expected to arrive in-country in the coming weeks. As Gen Shah explained, “To enhance the combat capabilities of Army Aviation, the induction of AH-1Zs is now considered to be a major step for fighting and eliminating the remaining pocket of resistance in the ongoing COIN operations. The operational effects of the AH-1Z in COIN operations will include the long-range day-and-night employment of precision weapons; high-altitude performance beyond 10,000 ft; a radius-of-action increase within the same reaction time; flexibility in the field due to an integral auxiliary power unit and folding main rotor blades; and improved FLIR sensor performance.” Pakistan Army Aviation currently has more than 400 rotary and fixed-wing aircraft in its inventory, with its pilots flying a combined 55,000 hours annually. Its move to enhance its attack helicopter capabilities are part of a much wider drive to reduce the average age of its fleet by phasing out older aircraft in favor of more modern machines, as well as through the standardization of fleet types. [IQPC Military Helicopter conference in London]
Analysis: Pakistan Army Aviation Corp (PAAC) helicopters play an important role in the conduct of ground combat operations on the modern battlefield. Since 2001, the operations against the militants and insurgents in the north-western territories have lead to usage of the rotary increased exponentially.
On paper, it appears that the PAAC has invested heavily in helicopter fleet but if a critical analysis is done it is clear that its fleet is a hodgepodge of various different types of helicopters. The PAAC operates too many different types of rotary air platforms: Mi-17 (several different variants), Puma (3 variants), AB-206, SA-315B Lama, SA-316, AW-139, Alouette III, AH-1 S/F, Bell-412EP, AS-550 Fennec, and UH-1. This assortment of helicopters causes an enormous burden on service crews and the procurement plus storage of the spare parts.
PAAC operates too many airframes, some of which have outlived their useful life. Reducing these airframes and maximizing commonality and interoperability is the key to improving training, sustainability, procurement of spare parts (reduce warehousing and storage requirements), and incorporating into its airborne military doctrine. Pakistan should comprehensively examine their training programs with a focus towards producing highly qualified aviators, flight engineers, and maintenance personnel in 12 months or less.
The foremost rotary asset PAAC uses is its fleet of 39 AH-1 S/F Cobra gunship-helicopters. The AH-1 has been extensively used in COIN missions in the north-western territories. These operations have taken a toll on Cobra airframes and caused a significant burden to maintain them along with a delay in acquiring spare parts from the US. PAAC has already placed an order 12 AH-1Z attack-helicopters with the first couple slated for delivery shortly. It should be noted the total number of AH-1Z approved is 15.
The present PAAC doctrine incorporates two different types of dedicated attack-helicopters. PAAC for the past two has extensively evaluated Chinese Zhi-10 (Z-10) and TAI/AgustaWestland T129 attack and tactical reconnaissance (ATAK). The final decision which airframes to buy should be made in 2018.
PAAC needs to diversify its attack-helicopter fleet. Depending solely on the US made AH-1 brings back stark realities ‘love & hate’ relationship between the USA and Pakistan. The Chinese Zhi-10 (Z-10) attack helicopter developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries Group (CAIG) is the most viable parallel choice. The Z-10 is thought to be in the same class as the Agusta A-129, South African Rooivalk, and German Tiger. Its primary mission is anti-armor and battlefield interdiction, with a secondary capability for air-to-air combat.
Looking at Z-10’s design shows a streamlined aircraft, with a conventional two-seat stepped cockpit. The fuselage has a hexagonal cross-section, with a flat-sided sloping lower fuselage that blends with the stub wings. The airframe shape indicates that some thought has been given to radar cross-section reduction, but the sensor and weapon mountings are clearly non-stealthy. The Z-10’s V-shaped lower fuselage provides space for mission avionics while keeping overall airframe volume low.
The two PT6-67C turboshaft engines, rated at 1,700 shp, are mounted in rounded pods with side-facing air intakes. The same lateral intake arrangement can be found on other PT6-engined helicopters such as the AgustaWestland AW 139. The engine is located to the rear, with the gearbox at the front of the pod housing. Two refueling points can be seen below the engines. Ahead of the main engine intake is a smaller intake, probably for cooling air. The Z-10 is amply equipped with fore- and aft-mounted antennas for missile approach warning and (probably) laser warning systems. An integral chaff/flare dispenser box is carried in the lower fuselage behind the stub wings. A small extended fairing (fitted to both sides of the aircraft), which may house an electronic warfare antenna, is visible just in front of the main landing gear. An identification friend-or-foe antenna is located above the nose in front of the cockpit.
A wire strike-protection system is mounted above both cockpits and the landing gear. An air data probe is positioned on the starboard side to feed speed and attitude information to the flight-control system and weapons computers.
The second option is the TAI/AgustaWestland T129 ATAK. The T129 multirole attack helicopter is being developed jointly by AgustaWestland and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLF) under the attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopter (ATAK) program. The helicopter is based on the AW129 and its predecessor the A129 Mangusta. The digital cockpit of the T129 incorporates two color multifunctional displays (MFD), keyboard display unit, Avionic Central Control Computer-ACCC (Dual) and a four-axis automatic flight control system (AFCS). It accommodates two crew members. The helicopter has four hard points to carry a weaponry payload of 1,200kg. Its stub wing pylons can accommodate anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), air-to-air missiles (ATAM), 70mm (2.75in) rockets and 70mm (2.75in) guided rockets. A 20mm turreted three-barrel gun system will be fitted with a nose turret. Optional armament includes 12.7mm gun pods. Pakistan is supposed to procure 40 of either T129 or Z-10. If for some reason PAA could wait on this selection it would advisable to procure the new and heavier T129B.
For scout, reconnaissance, and light troops movement PAAC already has latest US-made Bell B-412EP and Eurocopter AS550 Fennec helicopters. However, reports surfacing suggest that both of these helicopters have problems in hot-high operational conditions. The best possible way to rectify these shortcomings is to involve the manufactures and use the experience gained from the flight-performance of the helicopters to bring the performance of the helicopter to PAAC needs and requirements. PAAC has an excellent record in using innovative and indigenous methods to improve the performance of its rotary fleet.
PAAC operates (PAF also operates Mi-17s & Aw139 for CSAR missions) several different variants of Mi-17s. Recently, two Mi-17 helicopters were purchased for firefighting duties and are operated under the PAA. Mi-17 is a very rugged and reliable medium-lift helicopter. In the recent years, PAAC along with PAF have purchased close to 90 Mi-17 of different variants and it has served its utility well. Equipping its Mi-17 fleet with night-flying equipment along with FLIR, extra fuel tanks, etc., will enhance the capability of PAAC.
Russia has completed delivery of four Mil Mi-35M1 ‘Hind E’ attack helicopters to the PAAC. The Mi-35M1 is a multi-role combat helicopter manufactured by Rostvertol, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters. It is an export variant of the Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter. Primarily designed for attack and military transport missions, the helicopter delivers superior flight performance and maneuverability than its predecessor. The aircraft integrates modern, high-precision weaponry for destroying ground-based armored targets and providing air support for ground missions. It can be modified as an attack, ground assault, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) or transport platform. The recent delivery of four Mi-35M1 from JSC Rosoboronexport to PAAC early in April. These four Mi-35M have been specially modified for PAAC by South African company Advanced Technologies and Engineering (ATE). Looking at the video it is clear one of the modification is hovering of the helicopter and reverse/back ward flight, these performance related factors are not part of some of the Mi-35 variants. Further these helicopters are NBC capable. According to some PAAC source(s) these four helicopters will eventually based at Mangla 404AA(CBT)G, 404th Army Aviation Combat Group probably with a new squadron formation.
What PAAC is lacking is a heavy-lift helicopter. PAAC was cleared to purchase ex-Italian CH-47C in 2011 but due to the lack of funding, this deal did not go through.
PAAC should be planning to streamline its helicopter fleet. As it is stated in this analysis it has way too many airframes operational. In the past, the option to procure was very limited with only the U.S. and western European countries. Now, since the Russians are more willing along with China has viable production helicopters Pakistan has more options. It would be feasible to look at replacing with Chinese airframes like Z-8, Z-20, and add more AW 139.
