Z-8/Z-18 CHINA’S OWN ‘SUPER HORNET’

EYE ON THE EAST The PLA Army Aviation’s Z-8 is an important but little-known helicopter type that evolved from a license-manufactured French design. Long hampered by poor build quality and lack of performance, it’s now one of the service’s most modern and capable medium transport helicopters. BY ANDREAS RUPPRECHT AIR WARFARE BRIEFINGS FROM THE ASIA-PACIFIC A PLA infantry squad races to board a Z-8G of the Xinxiangbased 161st Air Assault Brigade. The G-model can carry 27 fully armed troops and