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Air ForcesChina

Z-21

Attack helicopterFielded 2024Pending verification
Air ForcesCHN
Length 16 m
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeAttack helicopter
Date of introduction2024
ProliferationOrigin country only
ManufacturerChanghe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC)Med[1]
Crew2Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length16 m52 ftMed[1]
Wingspan13.35 m44 ftMed[1]
Height3.86 m13 ftMed[1]
Empty weight5,200 kg11,464 lbMed[1]
Max takeoff weight10,000–12,000 kg22,046–26,455 lbMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine2 x WZ-10Med[1]
Thrust / powereach engine rated around 1,790 kW (2,400 shp). Exhausts are said to be rerouted upward to reduce infrared signature against heat‑seeking…Med[1]
Range650 km404 mi · 351 nmiMed[1]
Service ceiling6,250 m20,505 ftMed[1]
Protection
ArmorBuilt in the 10-to-12-ton category, the Z-21 heavy attack helicopter allows for heavier structural ballistic protection than medium gunships.Med[1]
Heat Signature ReductionYesMed[1]
Armament and payload
Hardpointssix hardpoints—four under the wings and two at the tipsMed[1]
Armament and PayloadOpen-source imagery shows the Z-21 with a chin‑mounted automatic cannon and multiple under‑wing hardpoints for guided and unguided munitions.Med[1]
Summary

The Z-21 Chinese Attack Helicopter is a new heavy-weight Chinese attack helicopter based on the Harbin Z-20 airframe, intended to give the People’s Liberation Army an Apache‑class gunship with greater protection, payload, and range than the existing Z-10 fleet.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
China
Sources
  1. Z-21 Chinese Attack Helicopter, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-10-05 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import