On November 24, 2025, the first publicly reported air‑assault drill featuring the People’s Liberation Army’s new Z‑20T “Assault Eagle” helicopter marked a significant advance in Beijing’s ability to rapidly insert troops by air across contested terrain. Conducted by an army aviation brigade of the 71st Group Army in eastern Fujian, near key Taiwan-facing approaches, the exercise showcased low-altitude penetration, semi-hover “single-wheel” landings and rapid troop deployment under realistic field conditions. The drill, as first shown by CCTV and reported by Global Times, offers a rare glimpse into how the PLA plans to fight with its latest rotary-wing assets rather than merely parade them. It is relevant well beyond China’s borders, as it points to a maturing Chinese capability for U.S.-style vertical envelopment that could reshape crisis calculations from the Taiwan Strait to the South China Sea. Read Full Defense News At This Link.
 |
| China conducted its first air assault drill near Taiwan using the new Z-20T helicopter, signaling growing military capability (Picture Source: CCTV) |