Boeing to Deliver First Batch of 3 AH-64E Apache attack Helicopters to Indian Army in December

Following a delay of over half a year, the Indian Army is poised to receive its inaugural batch of three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing in December.

A defence source revealed, "The manufacturer has informed us of manufacturing delays due to supply chain issues. The initial batch of three Apaches is now slated for December delivery, with the remaining three to follow a few months later."

The original timeline had earmarked three helicopters for delivery in May and another three in July.

The source further elaborated that the matter of delays was raised with the U.S. at a political level during the Defense Minister's official visit in August, where a request was made to prioritize these deliveries.

The Apache AH-64E, renowned for its agility, firepower, and advanced targeting systems, is poised to play a pivotal role in supporting the Army's operations on the Western front. The Apaches are ideal for countering armour and would be deployed in the deserts, adding that their capability gets limited in high altitudes due to their operational envelope.

In March, the Army Aviation formally established the 451 Aviation Squadron at Jodhpur, which will operate the Apaches. These helicopters will join the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) as the second attack helicopter type in the Army's arsenal.

In February 2020, India inked a deal with Boeing for six Apaches for the Army, valued at approximately $800 million. The agreement also encompassed training for six pilots and 24 technicians by Boeing in the U.S.

In September 2015, the Cabinet Committee had sanctioned the procurement of 39 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the U.S., of which the Indian Air Force has already inducted 22. Subsequently, the government decided that future Apache procurements would be allocated to the Army.

While the Army has advocated for an additional 11 Apaches, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) last year commissioned a study on the armored helicopter requirements of the three services. This study supported the need for 39 heavy attack helicopters.

 

[R. Singh]

Our each theatre command should have 60 Apache+LCH Prachand Helicopters !

 

[Kira]

Great copter,but sadly it's too expensive and due to its weight can't be operated at full potential in high altitude regions,so IA and IAF should focus on acquiring LCH en masse in the future,and improve its capabilities via periodic upgrades.

 

[NSR]

All kinds of forces played into delay including some crashes in USA too for further investigations.

Now,, not only these new Apaches, but also every single one of the Apaches sitting in hangars and getting spit and shined must be immediately transferred to Indian Army for basing them in frontlines for Quick Reaction Forces (QRFs) to fight insurgents and to prevent infiltrations, incursions and invasions.

Ditto CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters too.

IAF can make do with ALH Dhruv transport helicopters and LCH/Rudra/old Mi-35 attack helicopters.
IAF has become a power hungry and greedy service.

That is the way whole world operates and it should not be any different for India.

 

[beencensured]

Great copter,but sadly it's too expensive and due to its weight can't be operated at full potential in high altitude regions,so IA and IAF should focus on acquiring LCH en masse in the future,and improve its capabilities via periodic upgrades.

It is war and they have no weapons to give non allies as they have not enough weapons to fight war.. So LCH with HTSE 1200 kw engine would kick apache up and down the Himalaya.

 

[Anant]

It is war and they have no weapons to give non allies as they have not enough weapons to fight war.. So LCH with HTSE 1200 kw engine would kick apache up and down the Himalaya.

It would, in many ways, but that is contingent on the LCH actually having it's entire weapons suite integrated and being available in lather numbers. Neither of those has happened yet.

 

[Abhishake kushwaha]

Great copter,but sadly it's too expensive and due to its weight can't be operated at full potential in high altitude regions,so IA and IAF should focus on acquiring LCH en masse in the future,and improve its capabilities via periodic upgrades.

But it is used for desert warfare . Rather HAL has and is developing LCH .

 

[Bard of Anarchy]

Great copter,but sadly it's too expensive and due to its weight can't be operated at full potential in high altitude regions,so IA and IAF should focus on acquiring LCH en masse in the future,and improve its capabilities via periodic upgrades.

It's suitable to used on the western front.

 

[Kira]

It's suitable to used on the western front.

That is true,but still it is extremely costly even by American standards,whose arms are somewhat costly to begin with,but usually cost less to operate over their long lifespan(the opposite of Russian gear).Although even here,the Apache is an outlier and hugely expensive,I believe IA should opt for additional Chinooks instead.