The first batch of three Apache AH-64E attack helicopters arrived at Hindon Airbase on Tuesday morning in a major development for India’s defence preparedness.
The helicopters, transported in a US carrier aircraft, mark a significant upgrade for the Indian Army’s Aviation Corps, which had been awaiting their delivery since its inception in March 2024.
The deal—signed with the United States in 2020 for $600 million—had faced multiple delays, originally scheduled for completion by June 2024. Supply chain disruptions pushed the deadline further, but the arrival of these advanced aircraft has been hailed by the Army as a “milestone moment.”
According to Army officials, the helicopters will be inspected and assembled before being moved to their operational base in Jodhpur. Equipped with superior targeting systems and firepower, the Apaches are set to support military operations in western India, especially in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.
The Indian Air Force had already inducted 22 Apaches under a separate deal signed in 2015. Now, with the Army’s dedicated Aviation Corps and trained pilots ready, this induction is expected to enhance ground support and tactical capabilities across multiple missions.
Stay tuned as the Army prepares to deploy these formidable machines, reinforcing India’s aerial defence on the western frontier
