Images circulated on social media earlier this month that appeared to show the Chinese-made Changhe Z-10 attack helicopter equipped with the newly updated KG300G electronic warfare (EW) pod. The rotary aircraft, developed with assistance from Russia's Kamov bureau, has been employed as the People's Liberation Army's (PLA's) primary anti-tank helicopter.

The state-owned China Central Television (CCTV) also shared a short video of the Z-10 operating alongside a Russian-made Mi-8 helicopter, highlighting the increased capabilities of the upgraded aircraft. The KG300G, which was designed by the Southwestern Institute of Electrical and Electronics (SIWEE) in Chengdu, had been previously spotted on other Chinese aircraft, including the Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon, but this marks the first time the EW pod has been employed on the Z-10.

According to a report from international military analyst firm Janes, the rotary ground attack aircraft was also fitted with a redesigned variant of the KG300G. It would likely include the same functionality of the EW system that was first revealed at the 1998 Zhuhai Air Show in China. It was developed to counter various land-based, airborne, and naval radars – including on the I/J bands, notably Doppler radars.

"The new pod is shorter in length and differs in external design from the baseline KG300G pod, which is longer with a cylindrical, streamlined body designed for use with fighter aircraft," Janes stated on Wednesday. "The new KG300G is rectangular, box-like in shape, but with a semi-rounded nose and aft edges. The pod is also equipped with heat sinks on the upper frame, near the mounting pins, and an air intake to support the cooling of electronics. The design of the new pod's square-shaped mounting lugs is also suggestive of its exclusive use by rotary-wing platforms."

The Real Deal or PLA Propaganda

Soon after the images were shared across social media, some commented that the footage was manipulated or "Photoshopped."

As TheAviationist.com reported, Martin Andrew, a veteran of the Australian Defense Force and analyst at the Jamestown Foundation, was among those who questioned the design of the EW pod differed from those previously seen. However, as Janes noted, it may be a new version designed specifically for the rotary aircraft.

The still images also came from the CCTV report, so it would be unlikely that an entire video was edited just so that a few aviation watchers might speculate about the presence of an EW pod.

Z-10 Exports Coming Soon?

The video of the enhanced Z-10 also comes about six months after the aircraft was exhibited for the first time outside of China when it was presented at the Singapore Airshow in February. Beijing had been seeking foreign buyers, but Pakistan has remained the only known interested export customer of the ground attack helicopter.

"The Z-10 may appeal to some of those countries that don't have access to U.S. defence technology," Douglas Barrie of the International Institute of Strategic Studies told Reuters in February. "After-sales logistics and maintenance support would be a challenge, given Beijing's relative inexperience in this area."

Even if China can't find foreign buyers for the Z-10, it does appear it will continue to enhance the aircraft's capabilities for its use with the PLA Ground Force.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

Image Credit: Creative Commons.