China purchased eight examples of the Aerospatiale (and now Eurocopter) SA 342L Gazelle attack helicopter in the late 1980s for an initial trial. Further acquisition was considered but subsequently cancelled after 1989 due to the arms ban imposed by the European Union. The helicopter was designed mainly for anti-armour role but the PLA did not purchase any HOT anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) originally carried by the helicopter. These helicopters are operated by the PLA Army Aviation Corps 4th Regiment based at Tongzhou, Beijing, and have been used for training, enemy simulation, and attack roles. The PLA has managed to fit these helicopters with the Chinese indigenous HJ-8 ATGM and the 12.7mm machine gun pod for the ground attack role.
