Manoj Ambat's Blog dealing with Defence, Foreign Affairs, Strategic Affairs and Politics

Chinese Z-11 attack helicopter ( Image credits- Chinese internet) Source- The Diplomat Author- Franz Stefan-Gady In late September, the Chinese Z-11WB light helicopter completed its maiden flight near the town of Jingdezhen IHS Jane’s Defense Weekly reports. Produced by the Changhe Aircraft Industries Group, the Z-11WB is the military variant of the AC-311 multi-purpose helicopter – the first light civilian helicopter developed and manufactured in China, according Avicopter, a subsidiary of the Changhe Aircraft Industries Group. Customers of the 2.2-ton AC-311 aircraft–capable of carrying up to six passengers–have so far included various Chinese police departments. The AC-311, however, is itself a derivative of the Avicopter light utility helicopter Z-11, which in turn is based on the Eurocopter Ecureuil. (Changhe Aircraft Industries Group illegally copied the French design a few decades ago.) The Z-11 sports a maximum load of 577 kg, a top speed speed of 278

Kamov Ka-52 attack helicopter ( Source- Wikimedia Commons / Author- Alex Beltyukov) Source- Russia & India Report Author- Alexander Korolkov Helicopters came into being after the major wars of the 20th century were fought. The helicopter had neither the altitude nor speed to work in either of the world wars fought in the last century. But the helicopter has come into its own, with a number of advantages over attack jet aircraft, as a means of battle support. Historic insight The Soviet Union built two attack helicopters in the 1980’s. Two Soviet design bureaus, Mil and Kamov, built them as a counter to the American AH-64. Test results till the end of the 80s showed the single-seater Ka-50, built on the coaxial scheme, winning over the traditional Mi-28 by Mil. The Russian Federation inherited these machines. However, at the turn of the 21st century, the Mi-28 with ‘N’ tag trumped its old rival, as a result of which the Defence Ministry decided to buy them both