Hindon Airbase, Uttar Pradesh: After a 16-month anticipation, India today finally took delivery of the first three of six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing, marking what the Indian Army has described as a “milestone moment” for its operational capabilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the arrival as a “significant step” towards strengthening India’s defence.
The desert camouflage-painted choppers, transported to Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad aboard a US military cargo plane, are expected to be a game-changer for the Indian Army. The Army had placed an order for six Apache attack helicopters worth over ₹4,100 crore in 2020. Boeing is scheduled to deliver the remaining three helicopters by the year-end.
“These state-of-the-art platforms will bolster the operational capabilities of the Indian Army significantly,” the Army stated, emphasizing the enhanced power these aircraft bring.
While Boeing initiated the production of Apaches for the Indian Army at its Mesa facility in Arizona in August 2023, aiming for deliveries the following year, global supply chain bottlenecks in the aerospace industry led to production slowdowns and this 16-month delay.
This delivery for the Army follows Boeing’s completion of a previous contract in 2020, which saw the delivery of 22 R-model Apaches to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF had initially signed a multi-billion-dollar contract with the US government and Boeing Ltd for these 22 Apache choppers in September 2015. Separately, the defence ministry in 2017 approved the procurement of six AH-64E Apache helicopters along with weapons systems for the Army, at a cost of ₹4,168 crore.
Why Apache is a Game-Changer for India:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored the importance of the AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, stating their arrival is a “significant step” to strengthen India’s defence capabilities. He highlighted that “these advanced choppers will enhance the Army Aviation wing’s operational effectiveness, especially in challenging regions.”
The addition of this batch of AH-64E Apache helicopters will further fortify the Army’s operations on the Western front, complementing the existing fleet of 22 Apache choppers already operational with the Indian Air Force and deployed in Ladakh and western sectors.
The Apache, renowned globally as the “world’s most advanced and proven attack helicopter,” is equipped with formidable firepower. It is armed with fire-and-forget Hellfire missiles, capable of tracking up to 128 targets per minute and prioritizing threat levels, providing heavy anti-armour capabilities. Additionally, it carries 76 2.76-inch rockets and a 30mm chain gun with 1,200 rounds, capable of firing 600-650 rounds per minute.
The AH-64E Apache is designed for reconnaissance and attack missions, offering lethal, survivable, and agile performance that provides the reach, maneuverability, and performance crucial for ground forces and success in joint missions. Its advanced features include digital connectivity, a joint tactical information distribution system, upgraded T700-GE-701D engines, the capability to control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and new composite main rotor blades.
The Army Aviation Corps is actively modernizing its capabilities with the induction of such advanced platforms, alongside light combat helicopters (LCH), light utility helicopters (LUH), and unmanned aerial vehicles. Since Boeing delivered the first US Army Apache AH-64A in January 1984, over 2,700 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters have been delivered to the US Army and numerous other nations, including Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.