India to Aquire Six Apache Attack Helicopters from U.S.
Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff
U.S. Army A-64 Apache Helicopter
U.S. Army/ Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway
The Indian Army is set to acquire half a dozen new Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to modernise its capabilities. The Apache is one of the most prolific Western helicopters ever designed, heavily armed with chainguns, Hellfire Missiles and Hydra 70 Rockets which make it a lethal attack platform. The helicopter is known for its large systems redundancy, which makes it remarkably survivable. Other notable features include its nose mounted sensor suite and sophisticated night vision systems. The Apache carries only two crew, and is incapable of functioning as a transport. It was been extensively combat tested in both Gulf Wars and the U.S. war in Afghanistan won't other conflicts, and has proven highly effective as well as reliable.
New Delhi has sent a letter of request to the U.S. government regarding possible acquisition of the American platforms, which has come amid growing defence ties between the two countries. The U.S. has yet to reply to the request, though considering both the Trump administration's emphasis on increasing arms exports and the importance of defence ties with India to the American position in the Pacific it is highly likely that Delhi's request will be obliged.
The U.S. Army is the today by far the largest operator of the Apache helicopter, though allied states including Japan, Singapore Israel and the United Arab Emirates have also acquired the platform. The attack helicopters are set to join the Indian Army's Aviation Corps, (AAC) as opposed to the Indian Air Force, mirroring their service in the United States where the aircraft are operated primarily by the Army rather than the Air Force. India's Defence Ministry approved the funding for six helicopters in August 2017, and the Army is set to deploy three squadrons of Apaches along the country's borders with China and Pakistan. The orders for new helicopters comes amid ever simmering tensions with Islamabad and recent tensions surrounding a territorial disputes with Beijing over the Doklam area.
