- Views: 135
- Replies: 2
With the Indian Army finally commencing the induction of the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters, military planners are reportedly reassessing the adequacy of the fleet size.
Facing persistent operational demands and a timeline gap before indigenous alternatives arrive in significant numbers, the Army leadership is considering the necessity of procuring additional units to ensure a robust heavy attack capability.
The Numbers Challenge
Originally, the Indian Army Aviation Corps had projected a requirement for 12 to 18 heavy attack helicopters to adequately support its Strike Corps—the formations tasked with offensive operations deep into enemy territory.However, due to budgetary prioritisation, the government initially approved the purchase of only six units in a deal signed in 2020.
Delivery of these platforms faced significant hurdles due to global supply chain disruptions, pushing the timeline well past initial estimates. As of late 2025, only three of the six ordered helicopters have been delivered and inducted, with the remaining units expected to follow.
These helicopters have been deployed as key assets for the Strike Corps, but aviation experts have long argued that a fleet of just six is operationally fragile.
When accounting for routine maintenance, pilot training, and mandatory rotational downtime, a fleet of this size leaves very few aircraft available for actual combat missions at any given time.
Heavy vs. Light: The Capability Gap
The Apache AH-64E is widely regarded as the world’s most advanced "tank killer," designed specifically for heavy assault, anti-armour warfare, and close air support in high-intensity conflict zones like the western desert and plains.It carries a massive payload of Hellfire missiles and rockets, providing a distinct "heavy" capability that lighter helicopters cannot match.
In contrast, the Army has placed a significant bet on the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) 'Prachand', recently ordering 90 units from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The Prachand is a formidable machine, uniquely engineered for high-altitude warfare in areas like Siachen and Eastern Ladakh. However, it is classified as a "light" attack helicopter.
While highly capable, it is not a direct one-for-one substitute for the heavy payload and armour protection the Apache offers for mechanised warfare in the plains.
Bridging the Time Void
A major factor driving the potential review of the Apache numbers is the delivery schedule of the indigenous LCH.The first substantial batch of the 90 ordered Prachand helicopters is not expected to reach the Army until 2028. This creates a vulnerability window of several years where the Army requires a potent anti-tank aerial platform but has only a handful of Apaches to fulfil the role.
Looking Ahead
Sources suggest that Army headquarters may weigh the option of a follow-on order for more Apaches to bridge this capability gap.Such a decision would involve a complex balancing act: addressing immediate operational urgency in the western sector while remaining committed to the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) defence policy.
For now, the performance and integration of the three Apaches currently in service will likely influence the final decision.
Whether the Army chooses to expand this foreign fleet or manage with a limited capability until the indigenous Prachand matures will define the striking power of the Army Aviation Corps for the next decade.
