India is set to receive its first consignment of long-awaited Apache attack helicopters from the US on July 21, NDTV reported. Also known as the ‘tanks in the air’, these advanced attack helicopters will boost the Army’s offensive capabilities and reconnaissance operations.
The AH-64Es advanced attack helicopters will land at the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Hindon Air Force Station. These helicopters will be deployed along the Pakistan border, NDTV reported, citing defence sources.
This comes more than a year after the Indian Army raised its first Apache attack helicopter squadron in the desert sector in Jodhpur near the Pakistan front. The squadron was raised on March 15, 2024, in Jodhpur in the presence of Director General Indian Army Aviation Lt Gen Ajay Suri.
The Army Aviation Corps, which currently operates utility helicopters such as the Dhruv and Chetak, earlier inducted the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand at Missamari, Assam, last year. Notably, the IAF already operates a fleet of 22 Apache helicopters which have been deployed on the eastern and western fronts.
According to the Ministry of Defense, Apache helicopters can carry out precision strikes even in enemy airspace with threats from the ground. The ability of these helicopters to transmit and receive battlefield images to and from weapon systems through data networking makes them a lethal weapon.
The helicopter is capable of carrying a variety of weapons, including air-to-ground Hellfire missiles, 70 mm Hydra rockets, and air-to-air Stinger missiles. The Apache also has a 30 mm chain gun with 1200 rounds under the Area Weapon Subsystem. To enhance the helicopter’s firepower, it also has a fire control radar with 360° coverage and a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems.
These tandem-seating helicopters are capable of day/night, all-weather flying and offer extreme agility and survivability despite battle damage. They are also easy to maintain in field conditions and are capable of long-duration operations in tropical and desert regions, as per the Ministry of Defence.
