Page 65 - AirForces - Monthly (February 2020)

Above: Special forces of the PLA disembark from a Z-9B during a counterterrorism demonstration. The Harbin
Z-9B can accommodate up to ten soldiers in its cabin. Left: This PLA Army Aviation helicopter could be mistaken
for a Z-9ZH, but in fact is a Z-9WA, as indicated by the presence of stub wings on the fuselage sides. However, no
weapons are fitted. Far left: The newer Z-9ZH (note the nose profile) has a hoist fitted over the starboard cabin
door, which allows special forces to fast-rope from the platform and for conducting rescue missions.
which to mount weapons systems. It also has The Z-8KH offers a significant troop and ft (14,700m ) flight deck, plus rotorcraft in
chaff launchers, a radar warning receiver and cargo-carrying capacity, plus it is specially the form of a single Z-9S SAR helicopter,
data link, as evidenced by an antenna under configured for SAR duties. A rescue hoist is a Z-8JH and a Changhe Z-18. The carrier
the tail boom. The Z-9WA, which entered fitted on the starboard side and a FLIR system is capable of carrying up to 24 J-15s.
production in 2004, also incorporates armour is fitted under the nose. This means it can Commissioned in 2013, the PLAN also
plating in the cockpit area. It has a greater support the Hong Kong Government Flying has two Type 056 corvettes permanently
weapon-carriage capacity than the preceding Service, the principal agency responsible based in Hong Kong. When these head
Z-9W, although it was still a stopgap measure for maritime rescue in waters near Hong out on coastal patrols, they may embark
until the Z-10 and Z-19 entered service. Kong. The PLA also states it can be used for a PLAAF Z-9. This new corvette type has
The author has witnessed Z-9WAs with firefighting, medical evacuation, observation a flight deck but no hangar facilities.
four different serial numbers in Hong Kong. and counterterrorism duties. The Z-8KH Helicopters of the PLA can occasionally be
Armament can also be shifted around the has a listed endurance of 3hrs 55mins, and seen flying across Hong Kong’s skyline, but
Z-9WA fleet, with 57mm rockets, 23mm cannon a combat range of 447 miles (720km). Its of interest was an event in March 2013 when
and HJ-8 missiles all being seen. The HJ-8 anti- top speed is 149mph (240km/h) and the the garrison conducted a live-fire drill, during
tank missile has a range of 1,969-9,840ft (600- maximum cargo payload is 11,023lb (5,000kg). which helicopters fired cannon and missiles
3,000m), and is capable of penetrating 31in On the odd occasion when major PLA Navy at ground targets. Notably, this was the first
(800mm) of armour plating. Another possibility (PLAN) warships dock in Hong Kong, the such aerial live-fire drill to occur in the territory
is the fire-and-forget TY-90 missile, China’s Z-9C can also be observed. Equipped with since the 1997 handover. The PLA Daily quoted
first air-to-air missile designed for helicopters, a nose radar and having the ability to carry a military official as saying troops based in
which has a 1,640-19,685ft (500-6,000m) range. torpedoes, the Z-9C is a navalised version Hong Kong needed to prepare for actual
The Z-9WA incorporates a Chinese-designed that commonly operates aboard frigates combat and to train “for victory”. The exercise
helmet-mounted sight that can be used with and destroyers. To date, only two port visits apparently helped the PLA “collect data and
HJ-8 and TY-90 missiles, or even light anti- of the PLAN’s Gulf of Aden counterpiracy equip troops to react fast so that they are
ship missiles such as the C-701 and C-703. task force have been made in Hong Kong. well prepared, responsive and victorious”.
There is another military helicopter type A more dramatic visit occurred in July Given the tensions ratcheting up in Hong
that is also present in Hong Kong; the 2017 when the Liaoning aircraft carrier and Kong society and the sporadic riots that
much larger Z-8KH built by the Changhe accompanying warships of the PLAN arrived have broken out, military helicopters would
Aircraft Industry Group. There are four such in Hong Kong for what was essentially a doubtlessly allow the PLA to move troops
aircraft based in the territory, this being a public-relations exercise. AFM was able to quickly from area to area to seize control. We
type exclusive to the Hong Kong Garrison. visit the Liaoning, aboard which were eight can only hope that the order for the PLA to
Its first public appearance was in May 2011. Shenyang J-15 fighters on the 158,230 sq move out of its barracks is never issued. AFM

www.Key.Aero #383 February 2020 // 63

06/01/2020 09:18:47
60-63 PLAHongKong AFM Feb2019.indd 63 06/01/2020 09:18:47
60-63 PLAHongKong AFM Feb2019.indd 63