After a delay of over 15 months, the Indian Army is finally expected to receive the first batch of Apache AH-64E attack helicopters, marking a significant step towards bolstering its combat capabilities along the western border in the wake of Operation Sindoor.
According to sources aware of the delivery schedule, the first three helicopters are likely to be handed over to the Indian Army’s Aviation Corps on July 22.
The Indian Army had signed a USD 600 million deal with the United States in 2020 for six Apache attack helicopters, with delivery initially expected between May and June 2024.
However, repeated delays due to supply chain disruptions and technical issues faced by the US pushed the delivery timeline to December 2024.
As per the original plan, the six helicopters were to arrive in two batches of three. While the second batch is expected later this year, the first batch has yet to reach India despite the deadline having passed over a year ago.
The Army Aviation Corps raised its first Apache squadron at Nagtalao, Jodhpur, in March 2024. Pilots and ground staff were trained and ready for flight operations, but the squadron has remained without the attack helicopters since its raising.
This prolonged wait has left a critical gap in the Army’s operational readiness despite the urgency driven by the evolving threat perception along the western front.
The Apache AH-64E helicopters are known for their agility, firepower, and advanced targeting systems and are seen as a crucial addition to the Army’s arsenal.
While the Indian Air Force has already inducted 22 Apache helicopters under a separate 2015 agreement, the Indian Army is still awaiting its share of these advanced combat helicopters to enhance its ground-attack capabilities.
