CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC IAS

China has introduced a new heavyweight in its aerial arsenal, the Z-20 attack helicopter, surpassing the capabilities of its predecessors, the Z-10 and Z-19, with a robust 10-tonne capacity.

• The strategic addition of the Z-20, which is now being referred to as the Z-21 for its attack configuration, is viewed by military analysts as a crucial element in potential conflicts involving Taiwan or India.
• Objective: to conduct close air support and airborne anti-armor missions.
• Z-20 attack helicopter shares the characteristics of three aircraft: the American AH-64, the Russian Mi-28 attack helicopters, and the Z-20 medium utility helicopter.
• Need of Z-20: The PLA currently employs both the Z-19 light attack/reconnaissance and the Z-10 medium attack helicopters in the attack helicopter role, but both lack the necessary firepower for them to fulfill the role.
• The Z-19 and Z-10 are comparable to the OH-58 Kiowa and the AH-1Z helicopters, which are considered reconnaissance and light attack helicopters, respectively.