TOP 10 Best Attack Helicopters in The World

There are a total of twenty-seven military attack helicopters in the world from origin to present day. But, which one is the best attack helicopter in the world right now? Which is the greatest and most advanced amongst these and why? Here, we come up with a list of top ten most advanced attack helicopters in the world. Our analysis is based on the combined score of performance, speed, protection, agility, firepower capabilities and avionics. It includes only best attack helicopters that are currently in service. All the helicopters mentioned here are incredibly powerful and devastating.

The 10 Best, Most Advanced Attack Helicopters in The World.

These are the top 10 best attack helicopters in the world 2022. Each are rated on their avionics, agility, speed & firepower capabilities.

10. AH-1Z Viper (USA)

AH-1Z Viper, USA Attack Helicopter

The Viper is a heavily modified version of the original attack helicopter (AH-1W Super Cobra). It still packs a lot of punch. The Hellfire missiles are capable of destroying enemy ships and tanks, while the 20mm cannon is capable of dismounting light vehicles and picking up smaller ones. It can engage enemy air at a respectable distance with Sidewinder missiles.

9. Mil Mi-24 Hind (Russia)

Russian Best Attack Helicopters

The Mi-24 is one of the most widely-known assault helicopter gunships, attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport in the world, and remains in service with at least 50 air arms. Although production of Mi-24 has been ceased in 1991, it is considered to be one of the best and most advanced attack helicopters ever made.

The Mi-24 has a 23-mm twin-barrel cannon, and carries 9M17P Skorpion (AT-2 Swatter), 9M114 Shturm (AT-6 Spiral) anti-tank guided missiles.

8. Agusta A129 Mangusta (Italy)

A-129/T-129 (Italy/Turkey Helicopter)

First ever dedicated attack helicopter to be produced in Western Europe. Agusta A129 Mangusta, one of the most advanced attack helicopters, is a two-seat, twin-engined, lightweight battlefield helicopter developed specifically for the anti-armor attack role.

It has a 20-mm cannon; can carry podded 12.7-mm machine guns. It carries 8 x TOW-2A anti-tank missiles, 52 x 70-mm or larger 81-mm Medusa rockets.

7. Denel AH-2 Rooivalk (South Africa)

Denel AH-2 Rooivalk (South Africa)

The Rooivalk is a next-generation attack helicopter from Denel Aviation of South Africa. The AH-2 Rooivalk can carry a range of weapons depending on the mission profile. It is equipped with a 20-mm Armscor cannon, and carries 4 x 4 -round launchers for TOW or Denel ZT-6 Mokopa anti-tank missiles. It also carries launchers with 70-mm un-operated rockets in place of the missiles.

Rooivalk is Afrikaans for “Red Kestrel”. The South African air forces operate only 12 Denel AH-2 Rooivalk attack helicopters. Although it looks like an entirely new machine, the Rooivalk is based on a degree of reverse engineering of the Aerospatiale Puma, using the same engines and main rotor.

6. Z-10 (China)

Chinese Z-10 Gunship Helicopter

The Z-10 is the new and the first dedicated Chinese attack helicopter. It is believed that it is in the same class as the A-129 Mangusta and the AH-2 Rooivalk. It has a standard gunship configuration with a narrow fuselage and stepped tandem cockpits.

The Z-10 has a 30 mm cannon and carries HJ-9 or HJ-10 anti-tank missiles, TY-90 air-to-air missiles and unoperated rocket pods.

5. Eurocopter Tiger (France/Germany)

Eurocopter attack helicopters

One of the most advanced attack helicopters, Eurocopter Tiger is currently in service with the Germany and France’s air forces. It’s a four-bladed, twin-engined, medium-weight attack helicopter which first entered service in 2003.

It has a 30 mm cannon and carries eight HOT 2, HOT 3 or Trigat 2 anti-tank missiles; four Stinger 2 or Mistral short-range air-to-air missiles, 68 x 68-mm rockets and podded 12.7-mm guns.

See also; Top 10 Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft.

4. Mil Mi-28 Havoc (Russia)

Mil Mi-28 Havoc

The Russian all-weather, day-night, two-seat anti-armor, Mil Mi-28 Havoc is one of the most advanced heavily-armored attack helicopters. It is a dedicated attack helicopter with no intended secondary transport capability. It is in service with the Russian army since 2006.

With maximum speed of 320 km/h, Mil Mi-28 Havoc has a 30-mm cannon and carries 9 M114 Shturm-C, 9 M120 / 9 M121F Vikhr or 9 A-2200 anti-tank guided missiles.

See also; World’s Most Expensive Helicopters.

3. Kamov Ka-52 Hokum-B (Russia)

Kamov Ka-52 Hokum-B (Russia)

The newer, improved, two-seat version of the Ka-50, is one of the fastest and most advanced attack helicopters in the world. Kamov Ka-52 Hokum-B is a multi-role, incredibly strong all-weather attack helicopter. One of the most maneuverable, next-generation attack helicopters, capable operating in daytime and at night.

The Ka-52 uses a 30-mm cannon (460 rounds), 12 Vikhr (AT-9 Spiral) anti-tank missiles or four Igla-V air-to-air missiles, and can carry quite a few unguided rockets and Igla air-to-air missiles.

See also; Top 10 most powerful armies in the world.

2. AH-64 Apache (USA)

AH-64E Apache Guardian (USA)

The Boeing AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter was known to be the preeminent and most powerful anti-armor weapon system in the Gulf War. Designed to perform its combat missions day or night and in adverse weather, the Apache was designed specifically to meet the rigid requirements of the US Army’s Advanced Attack Helicopter Plan.

The newest version AH-64E Guardian is faster, more efficient, and can be linked to drones.
As far as best attack helicopters go, the American four-blade, twin-turboshaft with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement and a tandem cockpit for a two-man crew, Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian is the most advanced ever built.

With a maximum speed of 300 km/h, AH-64E Apache Guardian has a 30-mm cannon and carries 16 AGM-114L Hellfire, 2 anti-tank missiles, four AIM-92 Stinger or two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, two AGM-122 Sidearm anti-radiation missiles and 19-shot Hydra 70 rocket pod.

1. The K-52 Alligator (Russia)

Best attack helicopter Ka 52 Alligator

Russia’s best attack helicopter is the K 52 Alligator. It is a heavily armed and armored helicopter that is designed for attacking ground targets. It has a powerful engine and can carry a variety of weapons, including rockets, missiles, and machine guns. The K 52 Alligator is also equipped with armor that can protect it from enemy fire.

The K-52 is a Russian attack helicopter that entered service in the mid-1970s. It has a twin-engine turboshaft engine and an array of sensors and weapons. The two-seater ka-52 is capable of operating at high speed and altitude, taking the lead from the Apache. The Alligator’s antiship missiles are more powerful than the Apache, and the helicopter has similar armor and air to air capability. The Ka-50, a one-seat variant, is also deadly.

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FAQ: Best Attack Helicopters in The World.

Is the Ka-52 better than Apache?

You can give the Ka-52 an armament advantage, but is slightly faster at 186 mph rather than 173 . The Apache can fly 1,180 miles straight and level, while the Ka-52 can only go 683 miles. It can fly higher than the Ka-52, at 21,000 feet.

What is Russia’s best attack helicopter?

Russia’s most advanced gunship, the Alligator. It is heavily armed with a 30-millimeter gun and anti-tank missiles.

Is the Cobra attack helicopter still in use?

The Cobra attack helicopter still in use. The Bell AH-1 SuperCobra is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the US Army’s AH-1 Cobra. The twin Cobra family includes the AH-1J SeaCobra, the AH-1T Improved SeaCobra, and the AH-1W SuperCobra.

What replaced the Cobra helicopter?

The world first dedicated attack helicopter was AH-1 Cobra. Cobra attack helicopter is replaced by AH-1Z Viper. This attack helicopter is used by the US Marine Corps. A total of 189 Vipers will be built.

Which is better Cobra or Apache?

An Apache can carry more load than a Cobra. Weapons are useful load in an attack helicopter. While the Cobra is faster than any other helicopter, it does not mean anything on the battlefield. Top speed is ten times slower than armor, weapons, or loiter time.

What is “I identify as an attack helicopter”?

Isabel Fall published “I Identify As an Attack Helicopter” as a short story in military science fiction on January 1, 2020 in Clarkesworld Magazine. This story is about Barb, a female pilot whose gender was re-assigned to “attack helicopter” to make her more competent.