The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently received its fifth and final AH-64E Apache attack helicopter from Boeing, marking the conclusion of a significant procurement chapter. Despite Covid-19-induced delays causing a slight push back in the delivery schedule, the handover was successfully completed. Prior to this, the last five of 15 CH-47F(I) Chinook heavy-lift helicopters were also handed over to IAF by Boeing.
India’s USD 3 Billion Deal with Boeing
In September 2015, India made a strategic decision to modernize the IAF’s helicopter fleet. It contracted for 22 Apache helicopters and 15 Chinook helicopters from Boeing under the Foreign Military Sales program of the USA government. The total cost of this significant military agreement was USD 3 billion.
AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter: A Leap Forward in Modern Warfare
The AH-64E Apache is an all-weather attack helicopter renowned for its high agility and survivability against battle damage. The Apache’s attributes enable it to carry out precision attacks at standoff ranges and operate effectively in hostile airspace with ground threats.
Some of its noteworthy capabilities include the ability to transmit and receive battlefield pictures through data uplinking and networking. In terms of armament, it can deploy fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missiles, air-to-air missiles, and rockets, aiding in network-centric aerial warfare. The Apache also carries a fire control radar, which provides 360° coverage and a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems.
Ensuring local contribution, the AH-64 Apache helicopter aero-structures are being produced by Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited, a joint venture based in Hyderabad, for both the USA Army and international customers.
CH-47F(I) Chinook Heavy-lift Helicopters: Enhancing Airlift Capabilities
The CH-47F(I) Chinook is a heavy-lift helicopter that boasts the prowess to airlift diverse military and non-military loads into remote locations. Its fully integrated digital cockpit management system, advanced cargo handling capabilities, and an electronic warfare suite complement the aircraft’s performance, making it a valuable asset to IAF’s future requirements and capability roadmap.
The Chinook helicopters have been deployed in the Northern and Eastern regions of India. In order to incorporate local manufacturing, critical systems and components for the Chinooks are being produced by Boeing’s suppliers in India. The crown and tail cone assembly are provided by Tata Advanced Systems, while the ramp and aft pylon are contributed by Dynamatic Technologies.
Bolstering India’s Defence: A Steady Progress
The successful handover of these state-of-the-art helicopters denotes a significant milestone in India’s defence modernization efforts. With superior attack and heavy-lift capabilities, the Apache and Chinook helicopters will undoubtedly strengthen the operational abilities of the Indian Air Force. Furthermore, the involvement of local industries in the production of these helicopters fosters India’s self-reliance agenda and invigorates its domestic aerospace manufacturing sector.
