Indian Army's Apache Squadron to get first batch of combat choppers, eye on Pakistan front

Apache AH-64E attack helicopters

The Indian Army’s long wait for Apache combat helicopters will end soon, as the US is likely to deliver the first batch of the combat choppers by the end of July, multiple media reports said on Thursday. With this, the Indian Army’s Apache Squadron will finally get the aerial assets that will bolster its combat power.

An India Today report said that the Army is likely to deploy the Apache helicopters along the borders with Pakistan. The development comes days after Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth held a telephonic discussion. There were concerns around the 15-month-long delay in the delivery of the choppers.

In fact, keeping the original timeline in mind, the Army Aviation Corps had raised the Apache Squadron last year in Jodhpur. However, multiple disruptions in the supply chain resulted in the squadron being raised without the choppers.

India and the US had signed a $600 million agreement back in 2020 for six Apache AH-64E combat choppers. Initially, the US was expected to deliver the attack helicopters by June 2024, but the deadline was extended due to supply chain disruptions.

Now, media reports say that the first batch — three Apache choppers — is likely to be delivered by July 15.

It should be noted that the Indian Air Force already has 22 Apache choppers in service. This was part of a different deal that was inked in 2015.