Indian Army Set to Utilize U.S.-Manufactured Apache Choppers, Armed with 'Hellfire', to Pose a Challenge for Pakistan

Defense News ,India :-  The Indian Army has finalized arrangements to station six new AH64E Apache attack helicopters at Jodhpur, situated near the Pakistan border in Rajasthan. Termed as 'tanks in the air,' the first squadron of these formidable helicopters was established in the desert region of Jodhpur on March 15.

Equipped with fire-and-forget Hellfire missiles, the Apaches possess robust anti-armour capabilities, capable of tracking up to 128 targets per minute. Delivery of these advanced helicopters, valued at over ₹4,100 crore, is slated to commence in May. Boeing, operating from its Mesa facility in Arizona, is responsible for manufacturing these helicopters, which are set to be operated by the Army Aviation Corps.

The Army Aviation Corps is on a path of modernization, augmenting its capabilities with a diverse range of aircraft, including attack helicopters, light combat helicopters (LCH), light utility helicopters (LUH), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Indian Air Force (IAF) already operates a fleet of 22 Apache helicopters, acquired as part of a larger deal worth $3.1 billion, which also included 15 Chinook heavy-lift choppers, back in 2015. These helicopters have played pivotal roles, particularly in the Ladakh region amidst the ongoing tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Looking ahead, the Indian Army plans to procure a mix of 200 utility and combat helicopters to fulfill its operational requirements, with a focus on indigenous production. The inauguration of India’s largest helicopter manufacturing facility in Tumkur, Karnataka, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, marks a significant stride towards self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

Spanning across 615 acres, the HAL factory will initially produce LUH followed by LCH and subsequently the Indian multirole helicopters. The impending retirement of the aging Cheetah and Chetak helicopters within the next three to four years will pave the way for the complete overhaul of the fleet with modern utility choppers over the next decade.

Currently comprising three aviation brigades, the army intends to raise more brigades in the foreseeable future, as reported previously. Furthermore, the army aims to introduce MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft systems in the next three to four years, procured from the United States in a government-to-government deal.

This acquisition is poised to substantially enhance the Indian military’s capabilities, as the MQ-9B drones are versatile platforms capable of executing a wide array of tasks, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, defensive counter-air, and airborne early warning.

India is also negotiating a deal to purchase 31 such drones, earmarked for various branches of the armed forces, including the navy, army, and IAF. This strategic augmentation underscores India's commitment to bolster its defense capabilities and enhance its readiness to counter emerging threats effectively.