Jodhpur : The world’s most advanced attack helicopter 64E-Apache is expected to be delivered to the Army Aviation Corps in Jodhpur next month. American company Boeing will deliver three Apache helicopters in December. The remaining three Apaches will arrive in January 2025. A total of six Apache helicopters will be deployed. This will strengthen India’s security on the Pakistani border. The Indian Air Force already has a squadron of 22 Apache helicopters, which were to be completed by 2022. An agreement for the purchase of Apache helicopters for the Army for about $800 million was signed during the visit of then US President Donald Trump to India in February 2020.
According to the agreement, their delivery was to be in May 2024, but there was a glitch in Boeing’s supply chain. There was difficulty in assembling the helicopter due to 22 components like engine, hard points, gears, fins, weapons etc. being used in Apache helicopter in Boeing’s Arizona factory were not easily available. Now this problem has gone away.
Army will operate for the first time
Jodhpur has the Army’s Aviation Corps. For Apache helicopters, 451st squadron has been established here in March this year, where 6 Apache helicopters will be deployed. Army will operate Apache helicopter for the first time. The Indian Air Force had placed the order for Apache in 2015 itself.
The second will be an attack helicopter
Apache will be the second attack helicopter in the army’s range. At present the Air Force has the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter Prachanda. Apart from this, there is also an armed version of Advanced Light Helicopter Rudra. Apache is the world’s most advanced multirole combat helicopter, used by the US Army and some other countries. India is the 16th country to acquire Apache.
