A pilot of the Chinese Air Force said the Z-20T, an assault variant of China's Z-20 utility helicopter, is particularly great in aerodynamic design and combat versatility.
The Z-20T assault helicopter made its debut at the seventh China Helicopter Exposition, which opened in the northern Chinese municipality Tianjin on Thursday, performing a variety of spectacular maneuvers and demonstrating the aircraft's superior performance and flexible handling capabilities.
Zhang Qian of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Fenglei Thunder Aerobatic Team flew the Z-20T for the dazzling performance. After the show, the experienced pilot who has flown the Z-9, Z-10 and Z-20 and other types of helicopters described the Z-20T as "particularly great" in an interview with China Central Television.
"I think this helicopter is particularly great. It's outstanding in its aerodynamic layout. The wind is quite strong today, but in flight you could still control it with ease," said Zhang.
The Z-20T is the latest variant of China's first independently developed fourth-generation helicopter Z-20. While extending the family's capabilities for all-terrain, all-weather operations, the Z-20T has expanded its roles to include air-ground coordinated assaults and aerial fire strike missions, Zhang said.
"Actually, we just demonstrated one of its aspects today, which is its maneuverability. It's even better in terms of overall performance. In fact, we know some weapon loadouts and fire control systems, including sighting devices, have been added to it on the basis of Z-20, and there are some upgrades of the defense systems. Then it has been highly optimized in the avionics system and flight control system. It not only has the basic transport, takeoff and landing capabilities of the Z-20, but also possesses armed helicopters' ability to conduct sudden assault, strike and suppress fire," said Zhang.
Nearly 400 enterprises from more than 30 countries and regions are taking part in the industry expo, the only helicopter show in the world that features flight performances. Fifty-two aircraft, including 38 helicopters, are on display at the four-day expo.
Pilot on Z-20T assault helicopter's combat versatility
The Japanese society should do soul-searching regarding its history of aggression and adhere to the pacifist constitution, said Shiradori Hiroshi, a professor of the Hosei University, in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) in Tokyo on April 30.
He said the government's recent move to discuss revising the three security documents deserve particular attention as the country's foreign and security policies have already witnessed major changes.
"People outside of the country hold that Japan's post-war image as a 'peace state' is now facing a major shift. Against the backdrop of tremendous changes in its foreign and security policies, the revision of the three security documents deserves particular attention. There lacks public debate in terms of the procedure, with policy changes decided unilaterally at Cabinet meetings. It is necessary to fully explain to the public as to whether such a practice is proper," said Hiroshi.
The Japanese government held its first expert panel meeting to discuss revisions to the three security documents at the Prime Minister's Office on April 27, local media reported.
Japan's current National Security Strategy and two related documents, formulated in 2022, were designed to cover the next 10 years, but the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has decided to move up the timetable to accelerate the revision process.
Increasing defense spending is one of the key topics of the meeting, according to Kyodo News.
Hiroshi said this year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, or Tokyo Trials, and the Japanese society must do soul-searching regarding its history of aggression in WWII, when it brought enormous catastrophes on Asian countries.
"Eighty years have passed since the opening of the Tokyo Trials. Japan inflicted enormous suffering on Asian countries during WWII, which should serve as an opportunity for the soul-searching. It is exact on the basis of countless sacrifices that Japan's post-war pacifism and its identity as a 'peace state' took shape. On this 80th anniversary, it is necessary for Japan to re-examine and do soul-searching regarding its history," said Hiroshi.
The Japanese government's effort to revise the pacifist constitution is widely opposed by the public.
On Sunday, around 50,000 people gathered at Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park, chanting slogans and holding banners against the government's push for constitutional revision and military expansion, the largest turnout of its kind in recent years.
Japan should adhere to pacifist constitution: scholar
