IAF gets 5 Apache attack helicopters from Boeing

Recently, Boeing India has handed over the last of the five AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to the Indian Air Force (IAF), completing the contract for 22 Apaches. The Apaches were deployed at the Leh airbase as part of the forward movement of assets, amid the stand-off with China in Ladakh.

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Key-Points

Boeing also handed over the last five of the 15 CH-47F(I) Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to the IAF.

Earlier, Boeing handed over the last five of the 15 CH-47F(I) Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to the IAF as well.

India contracted 22 Apache helicopters and 15 Chinook helicopters from Boeing through the Foreign Military Sales programme of the USA government in September 2015 under a USD 3 billion deal.

The addition of both these helicopters is a significant step towards modernization of IAF’s helicopter fleet.

Capabilities of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters

Carry out precision attacks at standoff ranges and operate in hostile airspace with threats from the ground.

Transmit and receive battlefield pictures through data uplinking and networking.

Shoot fire and forget anti-tank guided missiles, air to air missiles, rockets while providing the versatility to helicopter in network-centric aerial warfare.

Carries fire control radar, which has a 360° coverage and nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems.