In a big boost to the Indian Air Force's combat capabilities, eight US-made Apache AH-64E attack helicopters were on Tuesday inducted into the IAF, officials said. The key to the helicopters were formally handed over to Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa who was chief guest at the induction ceremony at the Pathankot Air Force station in Punjab.
The AH-64E Apache is one of the world's most advanced multi-role combat helicopters and is flown by the US Army but the helicopters supplied to India were customized to suit India’s requirements and extreme heat of the desert state of Rajasthan. Senior IAF officials said the addition of the Apache fleet will significantly enhance the force's combat capabilities.
The Apache copters were extensively used by the US Air Force in the deserts of Iraq. The IAF signed a multi-billion dollar contract with the US government and Boeing Ltd in September 2015 for 22 Apache helicopters. The first four of the 22 helicopters was handed over to the air force by Boeing on July 27.
Additionally, the Defence Ministry in 2017 approved the procurement of six Apache helicopters along with weapons systems from Boeing at a cost of Rs 4,168 crore for the Army. This will be its first fleet of attack choppers. By 2020, the IAF will operate a fleet of 22 Apaches. These first deliveries were ahead of schedule.
The AH-64E Apache for the Indian Air Force completed successful first flights in July 2018. The first batch of Indian Air Force crew began their training to fly the Apache in the US in 2018. Boeing has delivered more than 2,200 Apaches to customers around the world since the aircraft entered production and India is the 14th country to select it for its military.
