NEW DELHI – In a big boost to the Indian Air Force’s combat capabilities,eight US-made Apache AH-64E attack helicopters are set to be inducted intothe IAF on September 3, officials said on Monday.
Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa will be the chief guest during the inductionceremony, which will take place at the Pathankot Air Force station.
The AH-64E Apache is one of the world’s most advanced multi-role combathelicopters and is flown by the US Army.
“Eight of the Apache attack helicopters are set to be inducted into theIAF, that will enhance the force’s combat capabilities,” a senior IAFofficial said.
The IAF had signed a multi-billion dollar contract with the US governmentand Boeing Ltd in September 2015 for 22 Apache helicopters.
The first four of the 22 helicopters was handed over to the air force byBoeing on July 27.
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The delivery of the first batch of Apache helicopters to the IAF at theHindan air base had come nearly four years after a multi-billion dollardeal for the choppers was sealed.
Additionally, the Defence Ministry in 2017 approved the procurement of sixApache helicopters along with weapons systems from Boeing at a cost of Rs4,168 crore for the Army.
This will be its first fleet of attack choppers. By 2020, the IAF willoperate a fleet of 22 Apaches. These first deliveries were ahead ofschedule.
The AH-64E Apache for the Indian Air Force completed successful firstflights in July 2018. The first batch of Indian Air Force crew began theirtraining to fly the Apache in the US in 2018.
