Pakistan showcases its first batch of Chinese-made WZ-10ME attack helicopters! This helicopter began delivery in July 2025, and Pakistan purchased approximately 40 WZ-10ME attack helicopters, with the possibility of subsequent batches being assembled and produced domestically in Pakistan. Of course, Turkey also wants to get a share. However, Turkey has a relatively advanced T129 helicopter, which was initially intended to be sold to Pakistan, but the deal ultimately fell through because the US did not provide the engine.

Why did Pakistan initially choose Turkey's T129 helicopter instead of the WZ-10ME attack helicopter? According to netizens, it was because the engine of the WZ-10ME attack helicopter was not good in the past, and it was difficult to purchase a good engine, so many equipment could not be equipped, and the performance on high altitude was also poor. Since Pakistan has many high-altitude areas, the WZ-10ME attack helicopter was not suitable. Now that the domestic engine has been solved, Pakistan bought it, and there is no blame for Pakistan's initial decision, as it was unavoidable due to insufficient performance.

Many netizens are worried that Pakistan will not pay. This is really overthinking. When Pakistan buys weapons, it never uses its own money; there is a big sponsor who pays. Pakistan has an alias called "Sword of Allah," mainly funded by Saudi Arabia. If Saudi Arabia has any problems, Pakistan must send people to take part, which is inevitable.

The fragrance of wine does not fear the depth of the alley. After our weapons and equipment become strong, naturally every country will be eager to obtain them. Like Pakistan buying our air defense missiles and J-10 fighter jets, they are now popular products. The WZ-10 attack helicopter was indeed not very powerful before, but now it is a strong presence. So we should not always view things with the eyes of the past; this is unscientific.

Now, the WZ-10 attack helicopter has undergone a complete transformation. Most importantly, the change in the engine. Because of the firepower situation, there have not been major changes, and the appearance has basically remained fixed. The change in the engine is the most important, ensuring that it can perform military tasks in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Pamir Plateau without experiencing power shortages in the engine.

In fact, our WZ-10 helicopter has been improved for more than ten years, and the engine part has basically matured. Initially, the reason why the Turkish T129 helicopter was selected was because it could operate normally in high-altitude environments. Because the Turkish T129 helicopter uses an American engine, reportedly the same model as the Black Hawk helicopter, so Turkey won the order. However, the US saw that Turkey was taking its business and turned against it, resolutely refusing to sell the engine for the Turkish helicopter. As a result, Pakistan waited almost ten years, but the deal with Turkey was never completed, and finally had to give up, choosing the WZ-10 attack helicopter instead.

The relationship between the US and Turkey has been deteriorating since 2016, not only because the US planned a military coup in Turkey, nearly toppling Erdogan. From then on, Erdogan and the US have had a relationship that could hardly be improved. Whether it is the engine for the T129 helicopter, the engine for the Khan fighter jet, or the F-35 aircraft that Turkey has already paid for, the US refuses to deliver them, and all contracts are canceled, prohibiting the provision of these to Turkey.

Therefore, Turkey's current relationship with the US is extremely bad, which has given us time for the development of the WZ-10 helicopter, eventually meeting Pakistan's requirements and being finally deployed in the Pakistani military.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838946896697435/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.