Jodhpur : Due to disruption in the supply chain of American aviation company Boeing, the supply of the world’s most advanced attack helicopter 64E-Apache to the Army Aviation Corps in Jodhpur has been stuck. The first Apache helicopter is expected to be delivered by March next year, about a year late. Meanwhile, a team from Boeing has reached Jodhpur from the US for Apache flight training and maintenance training for the Army Aviation team. The team will train local aviation officials for about six months. It is worth noting that Apache helicopters are going to be included in the Army for the first time in the country. This will strengthen India’s security on the Pakistani border. The Air Force already has a squadron of 22 Apache helicopters, which was completed by 2022.
The squadron was established in March this year
The 451st Squadron for Apache helicopters has been established in March this year, where 6 Apache helicopters will be deployed. The Army had signed a deal with Boeing Company for Rs 4100 crore for six Apache helicopters in 2020. Seeing the power of Apache, many countries of the world are signing deals with Boeing. India is the 16th country to buy Apache. The Indian Air Force had placed an order for Apache in 2015 itself. The first Apache was received in 2019.
22 Component Supply Problem
Boeing Company was supposed to deliver the first Apache helicopter early this year, but parts are not available due to supply chain problems at Boeing’s Arizona factory. Due to non-availability of 22 components like engines, hard points, gears, fins, etc., the helicopter is facing problems in assembly. It is worth noting that the delivery of fighter aircraft Tejas Mark-1A is also pending due to delay in supplying F-402 engines to India by the US General Electric Company.
Read this also
