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Helicopter

China

AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China)

Harbin Z-19

A light reconnaissance and attack helicopter developed by Harbin from the Z-9 (itself a license-built Eurocopter Dauphin derivative), fielding a tandem-seat cockpit and mast-mounted sight. It serves the Chinese People's Liberation Army Ground Force as a scout and anti-armor helicopter alongside the heavier Z-10.

In service since 2011 · 1 operator countries

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

305

km/h

550

km range

6,000

m ceiling

600

kg payload

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 2011. Status: active · ~200 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

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.

Compatible munitions & weapons

Publicly reported weapons the Harbin Z-19 can carry. Linked items have a full spec page.

HJ-8/HJ-9 anti-tank missiles TY-90 air-to-air missile 57 mm rocket pods

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

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.: 305 km/h

Stronger than 62% of helicopters
Cruise speed Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station.: 245 km/h

Stronger than 20% of helicopters
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.: 550 km

Stronger than 33% of helicopters
Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon.: 6,000 m

Stronger than 65% of helicopters
Rate of climb How fast the aircraft gains altitude. Higher means better energy recovery in combat.: 9 m/s

Stronger than 11% of helicopters

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.: 23 mm cannon pod (mission-dependent)
Hardpoints External stations for weapons and pods. More means bigger and more flexible loadouts.: 4

Stronger than 43% of helicopters
Weapons payload Maximum ordnance weight the platform can carry. Higher means more strike capacity per sortie.: 600 kg

Stronger than 12% of helicopters

Protection

Armor, countermeasures and survivability.

Armor Armor technology: composite, modular, ERA-fitted, uranium-ceramic. Exact compositions are classified.: Limited armored cockpit protection
Countermeasures Self-protection: chaff, flares, DIRCM, towed decoys, smoke dischargers, jammers.: radar/laser warning receivers, chaff, flares

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 12 m
Height Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles.: 3.78 m
Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew.: 2,300 kg
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.: 4,500 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 2

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Engine Powerplant model and type.: 2x WZ-8A turboshaft, 730 hp each
Engines Number of engines. Twin-engine gives redundancy at higher cost.: 2
Engine power Engine output power. Higher moves more weight faster.: 730 hp

Bottom 7% of helicopters
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…: Turboshaft

Sensors & avionics

Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.

Sensors IRST, EO/IR turrets, laser designators, sniper pods, thermal sights.: Mast-mounted electro-optical/infrared sighting system, helmet-mounted display
Thermal imaging Thermal sights for night and obscured-visibility operations.: Yes

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 200

Stronger than 53% 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) Harbin Z-19? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19 has a maximum speed of 305 km/h.

What is the range of the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19 has a maximum range of 550 km.

What is the weapons payload of the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19 can carry up to 600 kg of weapons payload.

How much does the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19 weigh? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19 has a combat weight of 4,500 kg.

How many crew does the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19 require? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19 requires a crew of 2.

What is the main armament of the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19's primary weapon is the 23 mm cannon pod (mission-dependent).

What engine does the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19 use? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19 is powered by the 2x WZ-8A turboshaft, 730 hp each.

What is the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19 used for? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19 is a helicopter typically used for close air support, anti armor, isr.

How many countries operate the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19? +

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19 is operated by 1 countries.

How much does the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19 cost? +

AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) Harbin Z-19: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.