3 Apache AH-64E helicopters arrive from US; Indian Army set to bolster western front defences
New Delhi, July 23. In a major boost to its combat capabilities, the Indian Army on July 22 received the first batch of three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from the US at Hindon Airbase, marking a long-awaited milestone in its modernization drive.
The delivery comes more than a year after the original schedule, with the helicopters initially expected to arrive in May 2024. These platforms are part of a $800 million deal signed in February 2020, under which India is to receive a total of six AH-64E Apache helicopters for the Army Aviation Corps.
Hailed as one of the most advanced multi-role combat helicopters in the world, the AH-64E Apache is set to significantly enhance the Indian Army’s offensive punch, particularly along the western front with Pakistan and in the broader context of India’s two-front security challenges involving both Pakistan and China.
“Milestone moment for the Indian Army as the first batch of Apache helicopters for Army Aviation arrive today in India,” the Army posted on social media platform X. “These state-of-the-art platforms will bolster the operational capabilities of the Indian Army significantly.”
The arrival of the helicopters also gains strategic relevance in the context of Operation Sindoor.
Nicknamed “tanks in the air” for their lethality and resilience, the Apache helicopters are armed with Hellfire missiles, 2.75-inch rockets, and a 30 mm chain gun capable of firing 600 to 650 rounds per minute. With a top level-flight speed of over 279 km/h and a climb rate exceeding 850 metres per minute, these helicopters are designed for agility and sustained battlefield impact. Their maximum operating weight stands at over 10,400 kg.
Fitted with cutting-edge communications, navigation, sensor, and weapon systems, the AH-64Es are tailor-made for network-centric warfare in high-intensity conflict zones.
To support their induction, the Indian Army had raised its first Apache helicopter unit – 51 Army Aviation Squadron – in March 2024 at Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The decision to procure Apaches for the Army was significantly influenced by the Indian Air Force’s positive operational experience with the platform. The IAF has already inducted 22 Apache helicopters under a separate 2015 agreement.
With these new additions, the Indian Army moves a step closer to strengthening its dedicated aerial strike capabilities, enabling faster and deadlier responses across India’s diverse battlefronts.
(Images courtesy: ADGPI – Indian Army)
