India will receive its full complement of 22 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters by 2020, with its first four examples having arrived at Hindan Air Force Station. Four more examples will follow “in the coming week”, the airframer says.
All eight of these rotorcraft will then be moved to Pathankot Air Force Station, where they will be formally inducted into service. Pathankot is located in Punjab state, just south of Jammu and Kashmir, where there is a simmering border dispute with neighbour Pakistan.
“By 2020, the IAF [Indian air force] will operate a fleet of 22 Apaches, and these first deliveries are ahead of schedule,” Boeing says.
Media reports indicate that the rotorcraft were transported to India aboard a chartered Antonov An-224.
“The order for production, training and support of 22 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters was finalised by the Indian Ministry of Defence in 2015. The Indian government also cleared the acquisition of an additional six Apaches for the Indian army in 2017,” Boeing notes.
India was the 14th country to select the AH-64, the company adds.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
