BEIJING: China has begun developing a new generation of attack helicopter which will have stealth abilities and should start deliveries to the Chinese armed forces by about 2020, the official China Daily newspaper said on Friday.
The helicopter is being developed by Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), one of the country's leading arms manufacturers, the state-run English-language publication said.
Its stealth capabilities will "reshape the combat patterns" of the People's Liberation Army, company chairman Lin Zuoming was quoted as saying.
"It is a trend that the ground force will become increasingly dependent on helicopters because they have better strike capability and mobility than armoured vehicles, and transport supplies to frontier troops," Lin said.
The company's chief helicopter designer, Wu Ximing, said the aircraft would have "supreme manoeuvrability in complicated environments, outstanding survivability and joint operation ability", the report added.
It provided no other details.
President Xi Jinping has pushed to toughen and modernise the country's 2.3 million-strong armed forces as China takes a more assertive stance in the region, particularly in the South China and East China seas.
That has included developing a series of high-tech weapons, including stealth jets, aircraft carriers and emerging technology aimed at shooting down satellites.
The helicopter is being developed by Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), one of the country's leading arms manufacturers, the state-run English-language publication said.
Its stealth capabilities will "reshape the combat patterns" of the People's Liberation Army, company chairman Lin Zuoming was quoted as saying.
The company's chief helicopter designer, Wu Ximing, said the aircraft would have "supreme manoeuvrability in complicated environments, outstanding survivability and joint operation ability", the report added.
Advertisement
President Xi Jinping has pushed to toughen and modernise the country's 2.3 million-strong armed forces as China takes a more assertive stance in the region, particularly in the South China and East China seas.
Advertisement
© Thomson Reuters 2015
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Wealthy China Couples Are Employing "Professionals" To Fulfill Their Parental Duties BMW To Recall 1.4 Million Cars In China Over Faulty Airbags China's Driverless 'Robotaxis': Sci-fi Marvels Or Safety Concerns? Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed For Debate Against Kamala Harris, Donald Trump Picks This Hindu American Villagers Try To Drive Away Elephant With Spiked Rods, Fireballs. It Dies 2 Killed In West Bank Strike, Israel Says It Targeted "Terrorist Cell'' 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Russia, Several Aftershocks Recorded Prohibitory Orders In Kolkata Amid Protests Over Doctor's Rape-Murder Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.