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Helicopter

China

AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China)

Z-8

A medium transport helicopter derived from the French Aerospatiale Super Frelon, built by Changhe (part of AVIC) for the PLA Navy and Army in troop transport, search-and-rescue and anti-submarine roles. The modernized Z-8L/Z-18 family remains in wide service.

In service since 1989 · 1 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

267

km/h

900

km range

6,000

m ceiling

Several performance figures for China-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Chinese state channel

State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.

Channel: State export agency

Fielded & proven

Limited · 1 operator

In service since 1989. Status: active · ~100 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Performance specifications
Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.	267 km/h Stronger than 11% of helicopters
Cruise speed Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station.	253 km/h Stronger than 34% of helicopters
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.	900 km Stronger than 84% of helicopters
Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon.	6,000 m Stronger than 65% of helicopters

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Physical specifications
Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.	23.05 m
Height Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles.	6.66 m
Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew.	7,095 kg
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.	13,000 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.	3
Troop capacity Number of embarked troops/passengers (IFV, APC, transport). Higher carries more.	27 Stronger than 76% of helicopters

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Propulsion specifications
Engine Powerplant model and type.	3x WZ-6 turboshaft engines
Engines Number of engines. Twin-engine gives redundancy at higher cost.	3
Engine power Engine output power. Higher moves more weight faster.	1,550 hp Stronger than 39% of helicopters
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…	Turboshaft

Sensors & avionics

Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.

Sensors & avionics specifications
Sensors IRST, EO/IR turrets, laser designators, sniper pods, thermal sights.	search radar (naval variants), dipping sonar (ASW variants)

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Program specifications
Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.	100 Stronger than 37% of helicopters
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.	1 Stronger than 18% of helicopters

Specifications compiled from public AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the top speed of the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8 has a maximum speed of 267 km/h.

What is the range of the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8 has a maximum range of 900 km.

How much does the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8 weigh? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8 has a combat weight of 13,000 kg.

How many crew does the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8 require? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8 requires a crew of 3.

What engine does the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8 use? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8 is powered by the 3x WZ-6 turboshaft engines.

What is the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8 used for? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8 is a helicopter typically used for isr.

How many countries operate the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8 is operated by 1 countries.

How much does the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8 cost? +

AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Z-8: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.