PLA arming Z-10 with new rocket pods

The new rocket pods for Chinese CHAIG Z-10 are intended to provide the PLA Ground Force (PLAGF) with a means to conduct saturation attacks against adversarial land- or maritime-based targets. (Janes/Getty Images)

China is arming its new AVIC Changhe Aircraft Industries (Group) Company (CHAIG) Z-10 attack helicopter with at least two new types of rocket pods.

This includes a seven-tube rocket pod equipped with a new guided variant of China's North Industries Group Corporation's (Norinco's) 70 mm air-launched rocket. A separate, 19-tube rocket pod with 70 mm unguided rockets already appears to have been integrated with the helicopter.

On 5 November Chinese state-owned media said the 19-tube rocket pod was used in a recent day-night, live-fire exercise off China's Fujian province.

According to video imagery aired by the state-owned broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) on 5 November, Z-10s (from the PLA's 73rd Group Army) were shown firing rockets to practise attacks on simulated maritime targets near islands and reefs in Chinese territorial waters in the Taiwan Strait.

The 73rd Group Army is a part of the PLA's Eastern Theater Command (ETC). The ETC has oversight over the Taiwan Strait.

According to state-owned media, the 19-tube rocket pod was unveiled for the first time in September during the sixth China Helicopter Exposition at Tianjin. However, Janes has assessed that a 19-tube rocket pod was integrated with the Z-10 in 2016–17. The latest Chinese announcement potentially suggests that an improved 19-tube pod has been adopted by the PLA.

Citing a military expert, the state-owned newspaper, Global Times