fatman17
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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What would be the optimal number of attack helicopters in the Pakistan Army, not including current AH-1s. It's a little difficult to understand how the PA is actually thinking.
Is it looking to put a greater emphasis on combat aviation such that it'd have gunship formations backing armoured columns?
I'd like to think that PA is looking to build a large gunship force composed of 100+ WZ-10s (acquired over the long-term), but I have no evidence indicating that is the case. Can this happen?
Anything is possible but a 100 gunships seems outlandish. In 1984 20 AH1S Cobras were inducted and based in Multan in support of the armoured division there and to act as last ditch effort to stall an Indian armoured advance in the desert. Obviously 20 was inadequate. I feel a force of 60 attack helos Cobras or Z10s or a Russian platform would be adequate to support the army’s offensive defensive doctrine. In addition 20 Mi35s multi purpose helos for ops along the lower LoC would be great. This alone would require a massive investment in base infrastructure, a repair and maintenance facility and finally designating the army aviation as an independent corps