Indian Air Force inducts eight Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters

New Delhi. The Indian Air Force (IAF) ceremonially inducted eight Boeing AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters September 3, and with that their home Squadron, 125 (H) Gladiators, also became operational and combat ready.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa did the honours at the forward Air Force Station (AFS) Pathankot, which has always been a fighter base, and observed that “these aircraft have been modified specifically to suit the exacting standards demanded by IAF,” pointing out that “alongside the capability to shoot fire and forget Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), the Apache also has modern Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities to provide versatility to the helicopter in a network-centric aerial warfare.”

Four of the eight helicopters also did a flypast, and after the ceremony, they logged into routine flying for operations and training. The level of operations, and an aircraft’s or helicopter’s arming of course depends upon the threat perceptions.

The helicopter was also given the traditional water canon salute.

IAF has 22 Apaches on order and the remaining 14 are due to be delivered by March 2020, that is, in about six months. All these new generation machines are being deployed in the “western regions.”

The Air Chief noted that the Apache has been an integral part of numerous historic campaigns worldwide and that its induction is a significant step towards the modernisation of the Indian Air Force helicopter fleet.

The Apache is regarded as a Flying Tank and its primary role is to destroy hostile armour. In the 1991 Gulf War, the US Army’s Apaches and US Air Force’s A 10 Warthog aircraft virtually decimated the Iraqi tank formations.

IAF has two combat helicopter squadrons, 125 and 104 (H) Firebirds. Both have had the Soviet/Russian Mi-25 and Mi-35 so far. The Gladiators will now operate only the Apaches while all the Mi-35s are to be operated by the Firebirds, located at Surat. They are being upgraded though with new systems and missiles.

According to an IAF statement issued during the ceremony, the Apache can deliver a variety of weapons which include Air-to-Ground Hellfire missiles, 70 mm Hydra rockets, Air-to-Air Stinger missiles, and one 30 mm chain gun with 1,200 rounds as area weapon sub-system. In addition, to add to the system’s lethality, there is a Fire Control Radar with 360 degree coverage as well as a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems.

Boeing India President Salil Gupte, who was present along with his team at the induction ceremony, told newsmen that the company is “committed to supporting the modernisation requirements of the Indian armed forces and maintaining them to be mission ready,” observing: We are confident that the Apaches will be an indispensable asset to the Indian Air Force” and “We will continue our efforts to deliver advanced capabilities to India’s defence forces.”

Boeing drew praise from the Air Chief for timely delivery.

The occasion also marked the formal handing over of the helicopters by Boeing to IAF. The order for production, training and support of these helicopters was finalised by the Ministry of defence (MoD) in 2015, the company said adding that MoD is in the process of evaluating the acquisition of an additional six Apaches for the Indian Army.

Boeing described the Apache as “an advanced multi-mission helicopter with the latest technology insertions, maintaining its standing as the world’s best attack helicopter.” In a statement, Boeing said that India is the 16th nation to select the Apache, and “is receiving the most advanced variant that is also flown by the US Army.”

“The Apaches have a fully integrated, digital cockpit that enhances the aircraft’s mission performance. It is uniquely suited to meet a commander’s needs, including reconnaissance, security, peacekeeping operations, and lethal attack across myriad environments – without (any) reconfiguration.”

“Used by the U.S. Army and a growing number of international defense forces. Boeing has delivered more than 2,100 Apaches to customers around the world since the aircraft entered production. The U.S. Army Apache fleet has accumulated (as of Jan 2015) more than 3.9 million flight hours since the first AH-64A was delivered to the U.S. Army in 1984.”

The company also provides support from performance-based logistics contracting and integrated fleet support to vertical lift maintenance, modifications and repairs to enhance capabilities while reducing total cost of ownership.

Boeing trained a set of Indian pilots, engineers and technicians for a few months in the US before bringing the eight helicopters to Air Force Station Hindan in July, and then transported them to Pathankot. More pilots, engineers and maintainers are now being trained in India in operational environment.

Notably, it is after three decades that IAF is receiving new combat helicopters. The Mi 25/35 had started coming in the 1980s, and although they will continue for tor time, the Apaches will ultimately replace them.