'Milestone Moment': Apache Attack Helicopters Reach India From US — Watch
The first batch of Apache attack helicopters for the Indian Army has reached India from the United States. The three Apache attack helicopters by American aerospace giant Boeing will be deployed in Jodhpur by the Indian Army, said Indian Army officials.
The Army shared pictures of the helicopters, stating, "Milestone moment for Indian Army as the first batch of Apache helicopters for Army Aviation arrive today in India." It said these state-of-the-art platforms will bolster the operational capabilities of the Indian Army significantly.
AH-64E Apache Helicopters' Features
The delivery is part of a contract signed earlier to supply six state-of-the-art Apache choppers to the Army. The AH-64E, known for its advanced multi-role combat capabilities, is also operated by the US Army.
The AH-64E Apache helicopters are armed with an array of advanced weaponry, including Hellfire missiles, 2.75-inch rockets, and 30 mm chain gun rounds capable of firing up to 650 rounds per minute. Owing to their agility and destructive power, these choppers are often dubbed "tanks in the air."
Engineered for combat superiority, the Apache boasts a Primary Mission Gross Weight of 6,838 kg and a Maximum Operating Weight of over 10,400 kg. It can climb at a rate exceeding 2,800 feet per minute and reach speeds over 279 km/h in level flight.
In March 2024, the Indian Army’s Aviation Corps formally inducted its first Apache unit, 451 Aviation Squadron, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, marking a significant step in expanding its air combat capabilities.
The decision to procure these helicopters was largely informed by the Indian Air Force’s operational success with its fleet of 22 Apaches, acquired under a 2015 deal. In 2017, the Defence Ministry approved the acquisition of six more for the Indian Army, at an estimated cost of Rs 4,168 crore.
Delivery of the helicopters was scheduled to begin in 2024, and the remaining three are expected to be handed over soon.
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