Changhe Z-9 Haitun

Changhe Z-9 Haitun

Type: helicopter

Domain: air

Country of Origin: China

Manufacturer: AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China)

First Deployed: 2015

Overview

Chinese utility and attack helicopter providing Kenyan armed forces with rotary-wing capability. Kenya procured Z-9 (Chinese development of French Dauphin) from China for utility, attack, and reconnaissance missions. Features twin-turbine engines, capacity for troops or cargo, weapons including machine guns, rockets, and ATGMs on armed variant, and modern avionics. Kenyan Z-9 supports ground operations, transport, medical evacuation, and potentially attack missions. Represents Kenyan diversification of sources acquiring Chinese helicopters alongside American types. Chinese support provides cost-effective alternative to Western helicopters.

Technical Specifications

roleArmed reconnaissance, utility, troop transport
typeMedium Utility / Attack Helicopter
armamentHJ-8 ATGMs, rocket pods, door-mounted machine guns

Operators

Related air Weapon Systems