First Batch Of Three Apache Helicopters For Indian Army To Be Delivered By 15 July, Second Batch In November: Report

The long-delayed delivery of Apache AH-64E attack helicopters for Indian Army from the United States is finally set to commence, with the first batch of three helicopters expected to be delivered by 15 July, The Hindu reported, citing a top source in the Defence Ministry.

The source reportedly confirmed that the next batch of three more helicopters will be delivered by November this year, completing the long-delayed delivery of the attack choppers to the Indian Army.

The development comes after a recent phone call on 1 July between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

During their conversation, Singh expressed gratitude for US support during Operation Sindoor and reiterated that India reserved the right to pre-empt and deter cross-border terror attacks and defend itself.

Singh also pressed for the timely delivery of General Electric engines destined for the Tejas light combat Mk1A aircraft and discussed plans for establishing a production unit for jet engines in India.

Hegseth assured him of efforts to ensure timely delivery of the jet engines, adding that the production unit will be set up within a timeframe.

The arrival of the six AH-64E Apaches, under a $600 million agreement signed in 2020, has faced repeated delays. Initially scheduled for May–June 2024, deliveries were postponed to December 2024 due to supply chain disruptions.

The Indian Army Aviation Corps, which raised its first squadron in Jodhpur last year, has been waiting over 15 months for the helicopters.

Their deployment along the western border is expected to significantly enhance the Army’s combat capabilities.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon confirmed that both nations have agreed to sign the next ten-year US-India Defence Framework this year.

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