Indian Air Force’s First Batch of Apache Attack Helicopters Arrived; To Be Formally Inducted At Pathankot Air Base 

Arriving ahead of schedule, the first four AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters of the Indian Air Force have landed at the Hindon Air Force Station near Ghaziabad, reports ANI.

An Antonov AN 224 transport aircraft ferried the helicopters form the Boeing production facility in Mesa, Arizona, USA

After the arrival of four additional Apaches next week, all the eight will be be sent to Pathankot airbase for formal induction into the IAF in September.

Phasing out the ever ageing Mi-35 choppers, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be operating a fleet of 22 Apaches by 2020.

The AH-64 variant of the Apache helicopters is said to the most advanced among the attack helicopters that can be used in all weather conditions.

The Ministry of Defence had finalised the purchase of 22 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters with Boeing in 2015.

Apart from today’s dispatch, Boeing has facilitated a speedy delivery of the first batch of its Chinook heavy lift helicopters earlier this month. The aviation giant is pushing hard to reassert its trustworthiness to promote its F/A 18 Super Hornet in India's procurement programme of 114 fighter jets.