China's WZ-10, WZ-19 armed helicopters join in anti-terror drill

ZHURIHE, Inner Mongolia - China's WZ-10 and WZ-19 armed helicopters took part in a multinational anti-terror drill in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Sunday.

The WZ-10--"the fiery thunderbolt"--is China's first generation of home grown armed helicopters for special purpose while the WZ-19--"the black whirlwind"--is an upgraded version of the WZ-9 .

The two are tasked with reconnaissance and rocket barrages during "Peace Mission 2014" anti-terror drill from Sunday to next Friday.

"The tactical and technical performance of the two types of helicopter is world class," said Yan Pengzhi, officer with the army aviation brigade of the 38th Army Group of the People's Liberation Army of China.

During the drill, groups of helicopters will conduct rocket barrages against the same target from below 200 meters with drones flying above at the same time, said Yan, adding any small error could have severe consequences.

Drones, airborne early warning aircraft, air-defense missiles, tanks and armored vehicles have joined the anti-terror drill as well.

A total of 7,000 troops from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have participated in the drill, including ground and air forces, special operations and airborne troops and others tasked with electronic countermeasures, reconnaissance, mapping and positioning.