{
  "id": "z-9-harbin",
  "name": "Z-9 Harbin (WZ-9)",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "air",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Medium multi-role helicopter",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1981,
  "operators": [
    "BOL",
    "CHN",
    "CMR",
    "GHA",
    "KEN",
    "KHM",
    "LAO",
    "MLI",
    "MRT",
    "NAM",
    "PAK",
    "ZMB"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 12,
  "summary": "Despite statements from some sources, WZ-9 is too lightly protected to be an \"Attack helicopter\".",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": [
        9,
        12
      ],
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hardpoints",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "2 ea",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 4.01,
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "mass_kg",
      "v": 2050,
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Empty weight"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thrust / power",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "650 hp each",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of climb",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "549 mps",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "ceiling_m",
      "v": 4500,
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Ferry range",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1,000 km",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Endurance",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "5 hours",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "KTR-908 VHF Command Radio Set",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "TB-31 Intercom System",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "X-Band KLC-1 Search Radar",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Anti-Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Heat Signature Reduction",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "EW",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Chaff Flare Dispensers",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "EW Counter Measures/CCM",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armament",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "2 x fixed 23-mm guns or 12.7-mm MGs. Two pylons permit mounting up to 8 ATGMs, or 4 plus 2 rocket pods.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Most probable armament",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "Combat versions (WZ-9 and Z-9G) have Twin 23-mm gun, four Red Arrow-8F ATGMs, 2x 7-round 90-mm rocket pods, and 2 TY 90 IR-homing AAMs.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "HJ-8 or HJ-8E ATMs: location",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "Wing Mounted",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "HJ-8 or HJ-8E ATMs: function",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "Wire-Guided Anti-Tank Missile System",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "HJ-8 or HJ-8E ATMs: caliber/length",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "1,566 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "HJ-8 or HJ-8E ATMs: diameter",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "120 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "HJ-8 or HJ-8E ATMs: muzzle velocity",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "200 m/s",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "HJ-8 or HJ-8E ATMs: operational range",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "3,000-4,000 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "HJ-8 or HJ-8E ATMs: guidance system",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "SACLOS Wire Guidance",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "HJ-8 or HJ-8E ATMs: number of rounds",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "8 ea",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Single Twin Barrel GSh-23L Autocannon: location",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "Chin",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Single Twin Barrel GSh-23L Autocannon: caliber/length",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "23 x 115 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Single Twin Barrel GSh-23L Autocannon: maximum effective range",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "2 km",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Single Twin Barrel GSh-23L Autocannon: cyclic rate of fire",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "3,000 rpm",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Single Twin Barrel GSh-23L Autocannon: muzzle velocity",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "690 m/s",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Single Twin Barrel GSh-23L Autocannon: number of rounds",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "1,000 ea",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "Z-9A",
      "text": "Military production version with some upgrades, such as Arriel 1C2 engine, upgrade instrument panel, and 150-kg payload increase.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Z-9A 100",
      "text": "Prototypes for domestic market versions with WZ8A engines. First flight 16 January 1992, approved 30 December 1992.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Z-9B",
      "text": "Current production version for multi-role use, based on Dauphin 2 designs. Changes include 11-blade tail rotor.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Z-9C",
      "text": "Naval version for ASW and SSM, with Sinatra HS-12 dipping sonar and torpedo. It has a datalink to support targeting for YJ-82 SSM. An expected near-term upgrade is the C-701 TV guided air-to-surface missile.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "WZ-9",
      "text": "Light attack version of Z-9B (see ARMAMENT, left). Poss aka Z-9W. Export version is Z-9G.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Z-9Z",
      "text": "Reconnaissance prototype.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Z-9EC",
      "text": "ASW variant produced for the Pakistan Naval Air Arm. Configured with pulse-compression radar, low-frequency dipping sonar, radar warning receiver, and doppler navigation system, it is also armed with torpedoes for use aboard Pakistan Navy's Zulfiquar-class…",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Z-9EH",
      "text": "Transport, emergency and/or passenger variant.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-9-harbin"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "helicopter",
  "image": null,
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/z-9-harbin.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-z-9-harbin": {
      "title": "Z-9 Harbin (WZ-9) Chinese Medium Multi-Role Helicopter",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/Z-9_Harbin_WZ-9_Chinese_Medium_Multi-Role_Helicopter",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}