After months of delays and shifting timelines, the Indian Army finally welcomed the first batch of Apache AH-64E attack helicopters at Hindon Airbase on Tuesday morning. Their arrival, which was made possible by a US military cargo plane, was a long-awaited and significant turning point in the Army's efforts to increase its aerial combat capability.
The recently delivered helicopters will now go through a thorough assembly and inspection, according to people with knowledge of the delivery procedure. Until these inspections are completed, the helicopters will not be formally transferred to the Army Aviation Corps, allowing them to be deployed to their base in Jodhpur. It is anticipated that they will then be transported by air to their assigned operational base in Jodhpur.
The Indian Army celebrated the long-awaited arrival and called the induction a "milestone moment" for its Aviation Corps. "A historic moment for the Indian Army as the first batch of Apache helicopters for Army Aviation arrive today in India," the Army wrote in a social media post. For more than a year, the Army Aviation Corps, which was formally founded in Jodhpur in March 2024, had been anticipating the delivery.
Also Read: 3 Apache attack helicopters on way to India, Army induction soon
These Apache helicopters were part of a $600 million deal with the United States in 2020. The Army initially projected that the first three Apache helicopters would arrive by June 2024. However, the delivery was rescheduled for December due to problems with the global supply chain. Delays persisted even after the first three helicopters finally reached India. After training in 2024, Army pilots are now prepared to fly these formidable aircraft. The Apache helicopters are ideal for swift and accurate strikes during missions because of their sophisticated targeting systems, powerful firepower, and agile movement.
Following Indian forces' Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan, these helicopters are anticipated to be crucial in western India. The Apaches will support attack and defence operations along the western border and provide vital air support to ground forces. Although the Indian Air Force has already inducted 22 Apache helicopters under a separate 2015 agreement, this is the first induction specifically for the Indian Army. The Army Aviation Corps was created as part of a broader modernisation strategy to enable faster and more flexible battlefield operations and to give ground forces their own integrated aerial support.
As the first batch of Apaches finishes final preparations, the Army is prepared to use these combat helicopters in critical missions, marking a major turning point in India's evolving military readiness.
Also Read: IAF's large-scale Exercise in Rajasthan begins 23 July, NOTAM out
Follow us
