Top 10 most advanced attack helicopters in service in 2026

Attack helicopters are instrumental in combat zones alongside fighter jets, transport aircraft, and other aerial platforms. They provide accurate close air support for ground troops. And unlike fixed-wing fighter jets, they can hover at low altitudes to evade radar.According to the 2026 World Air Forces directory, more than 20,000 attack helicopters are in active service. The United States has the largest fleet of combat helicopters, nearing 5,600 units. The US is followed by Russia and China, with 1,535 and 913 aircraft in combat-ready conditions, respectively.The 2026 data reveals that the most used are the Sikorsky S-70-based variants, the UH-60 Black Hawk and SH-60 Seahawk with almost 3,962 units.While the S-70 is a versatile platform loved by forces across the world, it’s not the most advanced attack helicopter. Newer, more combat-focused models bring better speeds, longer range, and more deadly armaments.The most advanced attack helicopter in the world in 2026 is the Apache Guardian, officially the Boeing AH-64E. Armed to the teeth, pilots are cocooned in a titanium-plated cockpit, with a visually controlled gun, hellfire missiles, and Hydra rockets at their disposal.The Apache is given a run for its money by some of the other deadly attack helicopters on our list. Stay with us as we take a look at the 10 most advanced attack helicopters in service in 2026.1. AH-64 ApacheAH-64E key specificationsOriginUSManufactured1975 – presentNumber built5,000+Top speed150+ knotsRange260 nmiArmaments16 HELLFIRE missiles; 76 2.75-inch rockets and 1,200 30mm chain gun roundsUSAFThe US Army’s workhorse, the Apache, first took to the skies in 1975 and entered mass production in 1983. Since the introduction of the original AH-64A variant, the Apache has seen action in every major American and NATO conflict.In US Army service, the Apache line (from A- to E- model) has accumulated more than five million flight hours, and over 1.3 million hours in combat. It’s the third most used attack helicopter in the world with 1,266 units in service in 2026. It’s the attack helicopter of choice for 19 countries.The AH-64E Apache Guardian is the newest variant of the AH-64 Apache series. Boeing estimates that the Apache will serve “as the world’s primary attack helicopter into the 2060s.”Apache operates in air forces around the world, including Egypt, Greece, India, Israel, China and the UAE. But by far the biggest operator is the US, with 838 Apaches in service with the army.The AH-64E is heavily armed, with a 30mm M230 chain gun with 1,200 rounds – when used with the helmet-mounted display, the pilot can aim the gun just by looking. It has four hardpoints that typically carry AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and 70mm Hydra rockets. It can also carry air-to-air Stinger missiles to counter UAVs and low-flying aircraft.The latest Apache is also equipped to control UAVs (drones) and has advanced targeting and sensor systems to let the pilots see further and track multiple targets at once. It features bulletproof glazing and ballistic cockpit armor made from titanium.

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2. Mil Mi-28 HavocMil Mi-28 key specificationsOriginRussiaManufactured1982 – presentNumber built172Top speed170 knotsRange235 nmiArmaments30mm Shipunov 2A42 cannon, optional rocket pods/gun pods/cannon podsAlex Beltyukov / WikimediaRussia’s answer to the AH-64 Apache, the Mi-28 Havoc is rugged, heavily armed and built for combat. Designed in the 1980s as a tank buster, it wasn’t entered into service until 2009, a full 27 years after its first flight. Still, its ethos as an anti-armor war machine makes it a direct competitor to the Apache, and a formidable aircraft.Armed with 16 anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) which can penetrate over 800mm of armor, it can also carry rocket pods, bombs and gun pods. It sports the same 30mm Shipunov 2A42 autocannon as the Ka-52 – number six on our list – and has a bulletproof windshield and titanium reinforced cockpit.Unusually, it has a tandem two seat cockpit in a unique configuration – the pilot sits at the back. As well as the gunner up front, the pilot also has full weapons control, giving it more flexibility than western designs.Although, on paper, it should be a good competitor to the Apache, its penetration in air forces is limited. It has been used in Syria and currently in Ukraine but has suffered heavy losses at the hands of Ukrainian MANPADS. Russia is the primary operator with 94, while Iraq has 17 and Algeria sports a fleet of 42.

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3. Bell AH-1Z ViperBell AH-1Z key specificationsOriginUSManufactured2000 – presentNumber built195Top speed222 knotsRange370 nmiArmaments20mm rotary cannon, optional Hydra or APKWS rockets, optional A2A or A2S missilesAcroterion / WikimediaThe American Viper is a third-generation descendant of the venerable Bell AH-1 Cobra, the grandfather of all modern attack helicopters. While the Viper retains the Cobra’s DNA, it has had some major 21st century upgrades.Most noticeable is its unique four-blade rotor system, made of composite materials for lightweight durability. This upgrade makes the Viper faster, more agile and a much smoother ride than the original two-blade Cobras.The AH-1Z Viper is heavily armed, with a total of six hardpoints capable of carrying more than 5,700 lbs of armaments. These can include up to 76 unguided Hydra rockets or 38 APKWS guided rockets, as well as Sidewinder, Hellfire or JAGM missiles.The US Marines have a fleet of 186 AH-1Z, according to the 2026 World Air Forces directory. Bahrain has bought and received 12 AH-1Z, and the Czech Air Force has four (six additional on order). This powerful attack helicopter is expected to be in service until at least 2040, with continuous upgrades planned.

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4. Eurocopter TigerEurocopter Tiger key specificationsOriginMultinationalManufactured1991 – presentNumber built195Top speed160 knotsRange430 nmiArmaments30mm turret cannon, optional rocket, missile and gun podsAlex Layzelle / WikimediaA joint Franco-German development, the Eurocopter Tiger is the second and the most recent attack helicopter to emerge from Western Europe. Developed initially during the Cold War, the program ran on after thA joint Franco-German development, the Eurocopter Tiger is the second and the most recent attack helicopter to emerge from Europe. Developed initially during the Cold War, the program ran on after the war had ended and became stalled. It finally entered into service in 2003, much later than initially anticipated.The Tiger, officially designated as the EC665 by Airbus Helicopters, has different variants for different forces and their specific requirements. For example:Tiger HAP (French) – Multi-role attack helicopter with a 30mm cannon, rockets, and Mistral air-to-air missilesTiger UHT (German) – Specializes in long-range anti-tank warfare, equipped with PARS 3 LR and HOT-3 missiles, but lacks a chin-mounted gunTiger ARH (Australian) – Adapted for reconnaissance and fire support, equipped with Hellfire missilesTiger HAD (Upgraded French / Spanish) – A more powerful and heavily armed version with better armor and Spike ER missilesThe Tiger was one of the first attack helicopters to feature stealth technology, including radar-absorbing materials and a low infrared signature. Its lightweight composite fuselage and advanced rotors make it one of the fastest and most agile attack helicopters in service.The European combat helicopter is not as widely used as other aircraft on this list. It is deployed at just four air forces across the world. Despite its unpopularity, the Tiger has proven its capabilities during operational deployments in Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Libya and Mali.5. TAI T129 ATAK TAI T129 ATAK key specificationsOriginItaly / TurkeyManufactured2009 – presentNumber built100Top speed152 knotsRange290 nmiArmaments20mm three-barrel rotary cannon, optional rocket and missile podswiltshirespotter / WikimediaBased on the A129 Mangusta – the seventh most advanced attack helicopter on our list – the T129 ATAK is a significantly upgraded version. Working with AgustaWestland, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) added a new engine, improved avionics, better weapons and enhanced durability.A key requirement of the ATAK is good performance in hot and high-altitude environments, essential to Turkey’s mountainous terrain and climate. Performance is delivered through a pair of LHTEC CTS800 power plants, enhanced rotor blades and improved cooling systems. It has a more powerful arsenal than the A129 too, with armaments including:20mm three-barrel M197 Gatling gun (chin-mounted turret)Cirit 70mm laser-guided rockets (indigenous Turkish weapon, highly accurate)UMTAS anti-tank guided missiles (Turkey’s equivalent to the US Hellfire missile)Stinger air-to-air missiles for aerial threatsHydra 70mm unguided rocketsPrimarily used by the Turkish forces, there has been plenty of interest in exporting the ATAK. However, this has been complicated by the inclusion of US-made LHTEC engines, leading to a sale to Pakistan being blocked. The Philippines became the first foreign operator in 2022, and Nigeria took two in 2023. The deliveries of six ATAKs each to the Philippines and Nigeria have been successfully completed. Currently, Turkey is working on an indigenous engine – the TEI TS1400 – to avoid issues with sanctions in the future.

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6. Kamov Ka-52 ‘Alligator’Kamov Ka-52 key specificationsOriginRussiaManufactured1990 – presentNumber built196+Top speed170 knotsRange294 nmiArmaments30mm cannon, optional rocket, missile and gun pods plus optional 2,200 lb of bombsWikimediaProbably the most unique attack helicopter in service today, the Ka-52 is a wildly unconventional design. It has dual contra-rotating main rotors, and no tail blades, known as a coaxial rotor system. This provides several advantages, including greater life, better survivability and increased agility. Indeed, it is one of the most maneuverable helicopters of any kind in the world today.  The original design, the Ka-50 ‘Black Shark’, was designed to be a single pilot attack helicopter. Advanced automation alleviated many of the typical pilot tasks, letting the pilot focus on flying and combat. However, in real-world operations, this proved to be challenging, leading to the development of the Ka-52 ‘Alligator’ two seat variant.The Ka-52 has a titanium armored cockpit which can withstand 23mm rounds. Unusually, it also has an ejector seat, which is a rarity in rotary wing aircraft. Before ejecting, explosive charges blow off the rotor blades to allow the pilots to eject safely.More than 196 units have been produced to date, and the type is in service with Russia’s air force and navy, as well as the Egyptian Air Force.

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7. Agusta A129 MangustaAgusta A129 Mangusta key specificationsOriginItalyManufactured1983 – presentNumber built60Top speed150 knotsRange280 nmiArmaments20mm turret cannon, optional rocket, missile and gun podsAldo Bidini / WikimediaThe A129 Mangusta (Italian for Mongoose) is Western Europe’s first domestically manufactured attack helicopter. It’s also the first helicopter to make use of a full computerized management system to reduce crew workload.Designed as an anti-tank helicopter, it was equipped with tube-launched, optically tracked, wire guided missiles (TOW) which were highly effective against armored targets. It’s light, agile and more maneuverable than other attack helicopters, giving it an advantage in complex airspace environments.Although it was designed for anti-tank warfare, later the Mangusta was modified to carry out other rules including reconnaissance, escort and fire support. It’s a heavily armored chopper, with a 20mm M197 three-barrel Gatling gun mounted in a turret, TOW or Spike anti-tank missiles, Stinger or Mistral air-to-air missiles and hydra 70mm rockets.Despite its capabilities, only 60 units were built for the Italian Army, making it one of the rarer attack helicopters on this list. The original Mangusta production line was open for just 13 years, from 1990 to 2003. The Italian Mangusta was never directly exported, despite initial plans to produce an export version, the A129 International. However, the Turkish ATAK (fifth on our list) – heavily upgraded derivative – was.8. Mil Mi-24 HindMil Mi-24 key specificationsOriginRussiaManufactured1969 – presentNumber built2,648Top speed181 knotsRange240 nmiArmaments127mm 4-barrel machine gun, anti-tank missiles, rocket pods, bomb payloadAirwolfhound / WikimediaFor over 50 years, the Mi-24 has been a formidable Russian gunship, and was the most heavily armed attack helicopter of the Cold War. Developed as an anti-tank attack helicopter, its versatility has kept it relevant as the world has changed around it.Notably, the Mi-24 can serve as both a heavily armed attack helicopter and a flying troop transport. Up to eight passengers can be transported in the rear cabin, meaning once the Mi-24 has eliminated ground threats, it can deposit a troop of infantry right into the battlefield. It was the only Cold War helicopter capable of this.Used in combat many times over the years, some of the Hind’s most notable battlefields include the Soviet war in Afghanistan (1979 – 1989), the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988), the War in Afghanistan (2001 – 2021) and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.With over 50 operators worldwide and a production count exceeding 2,600 units, the Mi-24 holds the record as the most manufactured attack helicopter in history. In 2026, it’s the sixth most widely used attack helicopter worldwide, according to the 2026 World Air Forces directory.

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9. Changhe Z-10 Changhe Z-10 key specificationsOriginChinaManufactured2003 – presentNumber built208Top speed160 knotsRange430 nmiArmaments23mm revolver cannon, optional rocket and missile pods, optional guided bombsmjordan_6 / WikimediaThis 4.5-ton armed helicopter was built both as an anti-tank aircraft and as a capable air-to-air combat platform. It is the first indigenous attack helicopter produced in China, arguably in response to the AH-64 Apache. While its range is greater than that of the Apache, it isn’t as fast, although it does pack some firepower.As well as a 23mm PX-10A revolver cannon, the helicopter has four hardpoints with a combined capacity of more than 3,300 lbs of extra munitions. These can include various rockets, laser-guided air-to-surface missiles, air-to-air missiles and guided bombs.So far, more than 200 have been produced for the People’s Liberation Army, but foreign buyers remain elusive. China debuted the Z-10 at the Singapore Airshow in 2024, the first time the type has been displayed outside of China. The Pakistan Army Aviation Corps has reportedly ordered 40 Z-10s. The Pakistani air force formally introduced the first Z-10 helicopter in 2025. However, the exact number of deliveries is unknown.

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10. Denel RooivalkDenel Rooivalk key specificationsOriginSouth AfricaManufactured1990 – 2007Number built15Top speed150 knotsRange400 nmiArmaments20mm cannon, anti-tank missiles, air-to-air missiles, 70mm rockets, laser guided rocket Danie van der Merwe / WikimediaSouth Africa’s homegrown attack helicopter was designed to be a multi-tasker. The Denel Rooivalk (red falcon) was developed at a time when South Africa was under an arms embargo and couldn’t import foreign attack helicopters. With the threat of the South African border war at their door, the nation wanted a helicopter to escort helicopter troops, conduct strike missions and provide anti-tank support.The Rooivalk has powerplant and dynamic systems based on the Aérospatiale AS332 Super Puma, giving it a large airframe, long range and plenty of room for sensors and armaments. The finished helicopter can carry a range of weapons depending on the mission profile. It is generally fitted with a nose-mounted 20mm cannon and can also carry air-to-air missiles, anti-armor missiles and guided rockets.The Rooivalk saw its first combat with the South African Air Force (SAAF) in support of the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during 2013. In total, 12 were built for SAAF (although one was lost in an ‘uncontrolled landing’) alongside three demonstrators, one of which is on display at the South African Air Force Museum, Swartkop Air Force Base, Pretoria. The next-generation attack helicopters in developmentEurope, China, and the United States are all developing next-generation helicopters.The new European attack helicopter to watch is the Leonardo AW249 Fenice. Development started in 2017 when the Italian Army contracted Leonardo to manufacture a next-generation attack helicopter to replace the aging Agusta A129 Mangusta. The new aircraft is designed to be more survivable and feature greater offensive capabilities than its predecessor.Leonardo has indicated that the AW249 will be stealthier than previous models. Also, its mission system will allow it to remotely operate drones. The AW249 made its public flying debut at the ILA Berlin Air Show. Initial deliveries to the Italian Army are set to begin in 2027.Meanwhile, China is currently developing the Z-21 heavyweight combat helicopter, which is designed to feature more weaponry and better survivability in rugged, mountainous terrains. Once operational, the Z-21 is said to compete with the world’s best attack helicopter, the Apache AH-64E, as well as the Russian Mi-24, Mi-28 and Ka-52. The Chinese helicopter is currently in an advanced stage of flight testing. According to Military Watch Magazine, the Z-21 is expected to enter service before 2030.It is worth noting the US company Bell, which is currently developing the next-generation MV-75 Cheyenne II multirole tiltrotor aircraft. While not an entirely attack aircraft, the next-gen tiltrotor is designed to cruise at high speeds for faster troop transportation or medical evacuation. The helicopter manufacturer plans its entry into service in the 2030s.The post Top 10 most advanced attack helicopters in service in 2026 appeared first on AeroTime.

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