IAF gets Apache attack helicopters from Boeing

Published: 16th Jul, 2020

Boeing handed over the last of the five AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to the Indian Air Force (IAF), completing the contract for 22 Apaches.

Context

Boeing handed over the last of the five AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to the Indian Air Force (IAF), completing the contract for 22 Apaches.

About

India contracted 22 Apache helicopters and 15 Chinook helicopters from Boeing through the Foreign Military Sales programme of the U.S. government in September 2015 under a $3 billion deal.
The IAF inducted the first batch of Apaches in September 2019 and based them at Air Force Station, Pathankot, Punjab.
- While the last five Apaches arrived in India early this year, the handover was slightly delayed due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
The Apaches were deployed at the Leh airbase as part of the forward movement of assets, amid the stand-off with China in Ladakh.
Earlier, in March, Boeing handed over the last five of the 15 CH-47F (I) Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to the IAF.

AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter

It will replace the Mi-35 fleet.
Alongside the capability to shoot fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missiles, air-to-air missiles, rockets, and other ammunition, it also has modern EW [electronic warfare] capabilities to provide versatility to the helicopter in network-centric aerial warfare.
The helicopter is capable of delivering a variety of weapons which include air to ground Hellfire missiles, 70 mm Hydra rockets, and air to air Stinger missiles.
Apache also carries one 30 mm chain gun with 1200 rounds as part of the area weapon subsystem.
To add to the lethality of the helicopter, it carries fire control radar, which has 360° coverage and nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems.
It has an improved Modernized Target Acquisition Designation System that provides day, night, and all-weather target information, as well as night vision navigation capability.
It can be sued for multi missions like for reconnaissance, security, peacekeeping operations, apart from attack operations.

CH-47F (I) Chinook Heavy-lift Helicopters

It is a heavy lift, tandem rotor helicopter that serves armed forces of 19 countries. It will greatly enhance IAF's HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) capability.
The Chinook is an advanced multi-mission helicopter that will provide support to the Indian armed forces during disaster relief, medical evacuation, search and rescue missions, aircraft recovery, and parachute drops.
Each Chinook can carry goods and cargo weighing up to 9.6 tonnes. This includes men and machines—like artillery guns and light armoured vehicles—to high altitudes.
The Chinook contains a fully integrated, Digital Cockpit Management System, Common Aviation Architecture Cockpit, and advanced cargo-handling capabilities.

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