Sayan Chatterjee,
New Delhi: It was 16th of July, 2018 then, when a AH-64E – Apache chopper intended for IAF took its first flight at a Boeing facility abroad. In pursuant to that, exactly 11 months later on May 10th, 2019 the first AH-64E (I) – Apache Guardian helicopter was formally handed over to the Indian Air Force at Boeing production facility in Mesa, Arizona, USA yesterday.
Air Marshal AS Butola, represented the Indian Air Force and received the first Apache in a ceremony at Boeing production facility, representatives and officials from US Government were also present at the do. IAF had signed a contract with US Government and M/s Boeing Ltd in Sep 2015 for 22 Apache helicopters. The first batch of these helicopters is scheduled to be shipped to India by Jul this year. Selected aircrew and ground crew have undergone training at the training facilities at US Army base Fort Rucker, Alabama. These personnel will lead the operationalisation finesse of the Apache fleet in the IAF.
In accordance, whilst speaking, Grp Cpt. Anupam Banerjee, Indian Air Force, said, “The addition of AH-64 E (I) helicopter is a significant step towards modernization of Indian Air Force’s combat chopper fleet. The helicopter has been customized to suit IAF’s future requirements and would have significant operational capability for almost all terrain. These choppers has the capability to carry out precision attacks at standoff ranges and operate in hostile airspace with threats from ground. The ability of these helicopters, to transmit and receive the battlefield picture, to and from the weapon systems through data networking certainly makes it a lethal acquisition for IAF. We are happy to see them coming on-board to join the forces’ clan”
These attack helicopters will provide significant edge in any future joint operations in support of land forces as well. Prior to this a set of first four of the 15 CH-47F (I) Chinook helicopters, were also inducted into the IAF’s 126 Helicopter Unit (HU) at a ceremony held in Chandigarh on 25th of March, 2019.
