Chinese military displays upgraded Z-20 helicopter at Zhuhai air show
China’s advanced Z-20 helicopter, which could help protect the Chinese navy from submarines, was displayed Tuesday at the country’s largest air show in Zhuhai.
HONG KONG — With sleek looks mirroring the U.S. UH-60 Black Hawk, the Chinese military’s advanced Z-20 helicopter packs a punch but may make its biggest impact at sea, analysts said as it was displayed at China’s biggest air show in Zhuhai on Tuesday.
The Z-20’s potential at sea to plug gaps in the Chinese navy’s ability to protect itself from submarines is attracting scrutiny from regional defense attaches and security scholars charting its evolution after a decade of development.
State media recently highlighted the first armed assault version of the helicopter, and on Tuesday, the military showcased the Z-20J armed naval variant — a key step toward a full-blown anti-submarine platform, the Z-20F.
Although China is fielding ever-more advanced warships as part of its long-term military modernization, it struggles to shield them, including its emerging aircraft carrier fleet, from undersea attacks — a capability already finely honed by many of its rivals.
Pentagon reports and Western analysts have long noted that weaknesses in the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) anti-submarine capabilities could hurt longer-range naval deployments in a conflict.
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