In September 2015, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the purchase of Boeing’s AH-64 Apache helicopters for the Indian Air Force in a deal worth around $2.5 billion. The deal for Gunships was in two parts: one via Direct Commercial Sale (DCS) contract while the other by Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement, which the US government will supply the weapons, radars and electronic warfare equipment.
The contract was believed to have an option on follow-on orders for more Apaches. The 39 additional AH-64 Apaches are over and above the 22 originally contracted.
The Apache helicopters will replace IAF’s Mi-35 attack helicopters and will be armed with Hellfire missiles.
The 22 Apache helicopters ordered earlier will replace obsolete IAF’s Mi-35 attack helicopters. The Indian Army had also demanded Apache helicopters for its aviation corps, after army’s bitter and long-running dispute with the IAF for control of attack helicopters. These attack helicopters are to be deployed by the army as part of its three Strike Corps and for the new mountain strike corps being raised for China border. The army’s requirement is likely to be met with the acquisition of these additional numbers.
The first batch of the 22 helicopters is likely to be delivered within five years. The first helicopter is expected to enter the IAF within three years. The time frame for the additional helicopters is, however, not ascertainable.
The first batch of the 22 helicopters is likely to be delivered within five years. The first helicopter is expected to enter the IAF within three years. The time frame for the additional helicopters is, however, not ascertainable.
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