WZ-10 attack helicopters attached to an army aviation brigade under the PLA 73rd Group Army lift off for a flight training exercise on May 10, 2022. The exercise focused on subjects such as emergency combat sortie, formation flight and firepower escort, aiming to beef up the troops' capability in complex conditions. Photo:China Military

Official reports show that Z-10 attack helicopters for the first time participated in a recent patrol exercise organized by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison, indicating that the garrison has commissioned this type of helicopter to provide escort and air support to other helicopters, vessels and ground troops in joint operations, experts said on Thursday.

The PLA Hong Kong Garrison recently conducted a scheduled joint maritime and air patrol for the second season of the year, featuring training courses including not only patrol but also search and rescue, the PLA Daily reported on Thursday.

It examined the garrison's joint operational capabilities and enhanced troop capability to carry out their defense duties, the report said.

A video attached to the PLA Daily report shows that a number of Z-10 attack helicopters participated in the patrol. The Z-10s are painted with jungle camouflage colors instead of a pure deep green color, indicating that they are likely of the Z-10K variant affiliated the Air Force rather than the Army Aviation Force, observers said.

The commissioning of the Z-10K into the PLA Hong Kong Garrison will contribute to the garrison's capabilities to safeguard Hong Kong, experts said.

The PLA Hong Kong Garrison's aviation sector used to only have transport and utility helicopters, and now the Z-10K attack helicopters can provide escorts for those helicopters, Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The attack helicopters can also carry out missions including maritime strikes, coordination with warships and close-range air support for ground troops, Fu said.

It will also contribute to the comprehensive capabilities of joint operations of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison, Fu said.

2022 marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, and the PLA Hong Kong Garrison is an important embodiment of national sovereignty, a key force in safeguarding "one country, two systems," and a key footstone in safeguarding Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.