Indian Army Gets Its Tank-Killer Helicopters As First Three Apaches Arrive From US

Three of the six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters ordered by the Indian Army from the United States have arrived at the Hindon airbase.

The helicopters are part of a Rs 5,691 crore ($930 million) deal signed with Boeing in February 2020, and are slated for induction into Army Aviation units responsible for supporting strike corps along India’s western front.

Unlike the Indian Air Force, which inducted 22 Apache helicopters starting in 2019, this is the first time the Army is receiving the platform for its own use.

The delivery had been delayed by nearly two years due to supply chain disruptions and production bottlenecks in the United States.

The AH-64E is armed with 16 AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, air-to-air Stinger missiles, and a 30mm chain gun capable of firing 625 rounds per minute.

Two of the missile pylons can be swapped for Hydra 70 rocket pods, each containing 19 folding-fin rockets. The helicopter is designed to engage and destroy armoured vehicles, including enemy tanks and mobile air defence units.

The Apaches being delivered to the Army are expected to operate alongside strike elements in Rajasthan and Punjab, providing close air support and anti-armour firepower in conventional land warfare scenarios.

The remaining three helicopters are expected to arrive later this year.