Z-9 Harbin

103 (Elite)

142 (Heroic)

419 (Heroic)

## Introduction

The **Z-9 Harbin** is an assault helicopter utilized by Chinese general Fai.

## Overview

The Harbin Z-9 Haitun (海豚, "*Dolphin*") has been in service of the PLAGF for some time, serving as a utility helicopter, but never as a serious combat unit.

However, General Fai has recently developed an interest for it, he has long since developed plans for an airborne assault transport, and the first platform for this project he turned to is the trusty old Ka-29 Helix. However, the results have been somewhat underwhelming. Fai's engineers have found it difficult to balance out the firepower, survivability, and mobility of the helicopter. If room for a lot of passengers is needed, then some of the helicopter's armor will need to be removed to make space. If armor is needed, then the helicopter will become too heavy and cumbersome, leaving it unable to evade enemy AA fire and interceptors. The end result is a design that's expensive to produce and compromised in one way or another

Hence, Fai turned towards the easily available Z-9 platform and ordered his engineers to produce a new aerial assault transport based on that. The new Harbin assault transport features a reinforced airframe as well as armor plating which allows it to survive in the heat of the battlefield. Ungraded engines and a contra rotating rotor system provides extra lift and ensures decent mobility even with the increased weight. However, due to the smaller size of the helicopter, there's only enough room for 2 soldiers. Fire ports are fitted on the sides of the helicopter, so troops can fire their weapons from within.

## Strategy

The Harbin can be described as a weaker, but more durable version of General Granger's Combat Puma. It only has 2 sit places compared to the Puma's 4 and requires Rank 3 to unlock, where as the Puma needed only Rank 1. However, the Harbin has the speed of a Thor and the durability of the old Helix, and due to General Fai's wide selection of infantries, it can also fulfill more roles than the Combat Puma. The Harbin is armed with a light machine gun which allows it to engage with ground targets even when empty, whereas the Puma's grenade launcher, while effective, is only useful against infantries.

## Upgrades

**Aircraft Armor**

* Increase the Harbin's durability by 25%, available at the Airfield at Rank 3.

## Assessment

Pros:

* Airborne infantry transport unit with fire ports.
* Well armored.
* Less expensive than the Helix ($1,100).

‎Cons:‎

* Only has 2 sit places.
* Vulnerable to interceptors (such as MiG-31, Zipper and F-22).
* Requires rank 3 + Propaganda Center.

## Quotes (in English)

### When Selected

* Air troop carrier.
* Direct assault or back door surprise?
* PLA combat chopper.
* Harbin, ready for assault.
* Seat belts tight enough back there?

### When Ordered to Move

* Setting up the ETA.
* 是的 , Commander!
* All green for travel.
* Stay alert for AA.
* The boys are in, we can go.

### When Passengers are Leaving

* Show them your bravery!
* We are landing, get ready to move!
* Orders are to proceed on foot.
* Stay safe out there.
* Ready your weapons, we are touching ground.

### When Ordered to Attack

* Good target for practice!
* Overhead delivery!
* It will be a stormy encounter.
* Time for the vultures to join!
* Machine gun heating up.

### When Crashing

* Everyone, hang on!
* Command! We've been hit hard!
* The engines out of control!

## Trivia

* The Harbin is based off the Z-9 Haitun helicopter, which is a license built version of the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, that is currently in service of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF), and maunfacturered by the namesake Harbin Aircraft Industry Group.
	+ An armed version, named the Z-9W or WZ-9, is also currently in service.

## See also

* **Helix**
* **Combat Puma**