China: Our attack copters are all self-developed

By Sina English

China on Thursday confirmed it had developed its first modern military attack helicopter, but denied reports that the chopper was a replica of the United States Black Hawk technology.

A Chinese defence ministry spokesperson claimed that the attack helicopter Z-10 was manufactured on indigenous know-how, including its engines. The website sought to refute allegations that Beijing had used the U.S. technology to develop the attack helicopter which may have advanced stealth features.

Defence ministry spokesman Yang Yujun, in response to allegations made by US prosecutors, said the helicopter's manufacturer had used independent intellectual property rights.

"China's attack helicopters and their engines are all self-developed, and have proprietary intellectual property rights," said Yang, adding that the so-called piracy "is far from truth" .

The announcement comes weeks after a U.S. defense contractor , United Technologies, told a US court that it may have violated an embargo on export of controlled technology to China.

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