NEW DELHI: Three of the six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, part of a long-pending Rs 5,691 crore deal with the United States, arrived at the Hindon Air Force Station on Tuesday enhancing the Indian Army’s offensive capabilities.Dubbed “tanks in the air” for their lethal firepower and combat endurance, the helicopters will be stationed in Jodhpur, where the Army had raised its first Apache squadron over 15 months ago. “The first batch of Apache attack Helicopters for the Indian Army has reached India. The choppers will be deployed in Jodhpur by the Indian Army,” Army officials confirmed.The remaining three Apaches are expected to be delivered by the end of 2025. The induction marks a critical milestone in bolstering the Army’s air strike capabilities, especially for joint operations where the Indian Air Force already operates two Apache squadrons — one in Pathankot and another in Jorhat.The AH-64E Apache Guardian, known for its precision-strike capability and network-centric warfare readiness, is designed to operate in hostile environments. Equipped with advanced night vision, all-weather targeting systems and superior navigation tools, the helicopters are considered vital assets for both offensive and defensive military operations.The delivery was delayed due to global supply chain disruptions and evolving geopolitical factors. Originally scheduled to arrive between May and June 2024, the Apaches were part of a $600 million deal signed during former US President Donald Trump’s 2020 visit to India.Earlier, in 2015, India had signed a separate agreement to acquire 22 Apaches for the IAF, with deliveries completed by mid-2020.
