New Delhi: The country’s first eight pure stealth attack helicopters — Apache AH 64E — was Tuesday inducted into the Indian Air Force at the frontline base in Pathankot. The fleet adds to the force’s firepower and tactical capability, which now includes the option of carrying out shallow surgical strikes from air along the Line of Control.
The helicopters inducted Tuesday are part of the $1.4 billion deal struck by the Narendra Modi government with the US for the supply of 22 Apache choppers in September 2015.
“The Apache changes our war fighting capabilities. It is a chopper designed to carry out various kinds of offensive missions. It can take out enemy assets including tanks, besides being used for tactical operations in enemy areas including shallow strikes,” a senior IAF officer told ThePrint.
Apaches open up India’s combat options, sources said, adding these can be used in high altitudes like during the Kargil conflict.
The sources said the helicopters also boost the option of carrying out surgical strikes across the LoC from air rather than sending across boots on the ground which carries more risk.
#NewInduction: Glimpses of AH-64E Apache attack helicopter's maiden flight at AFS Hindan.
The helicopter is planned to be inducted into the IAF on 03 Sep 19 at AFS Pathankot. pic.twitter.com/UYiSrEfOsg
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) September 2, 2019
Iconic Apache an out-and-out attack helicopter
India has been operating Russian Mi-35s, which are on the verge of retirement.
Classified as ‘assault’ choppers, the Mi-35s were designed to carry troops into heavily-defended territories. But the Apache is an out-and-out attack helicopter with both air-to-ground and air-to-air capability.
The Apache is considered one of the deadliest attack helicopters in the world, with manufacturer Boeing having sold over 2,200 of them since 1984.
Equipped with an AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radar system, the Apache has a deadly reputation for being able to sneak up on targets, carry out devastating precision attacks at stand-off ranges and to operate in hostile airspace with threats from the ground.
It comes with a 30mm cannon under the nose, which can fire 1,200 rounds in less than two minutes. Also equipped with 70mm guided or unguided rockets, the Apache can carry 80 of them in one go, besides Hellfire missiles.
The Indian Apaches will also carry air-to-air Stinger missiles, which the IAF had specifically sought. Together with the avionics on board, these missiles can identify, track and hunt targets in the dead of night.
Also read: India to receive Russian S-400 Triumf missiles by 2023, despite threat of US sanctions
Wasn’t an easy deal
The deal for the Apache helicopter was not an easy one to finalise. It had to survive over 10 price-validity extensions from the American side. Only a push from the then defence minister Manohar Parrikar finally set the ball rolling.
India is the 14th nation to select the Apache, and is receiving the most modern variant, the AH-64E, also flown by the US Army.
The deal with the US is a hybrid one — part of it was signed with Boeing for the helicopter, and the other with the US government, under the foreign military sales route, for its weapons, radars and electronic warfare suites.
The AH-64E Apache for the IAF completed the successful first flights in July 2018. The first batch of IAF crew began training to fly the Apache in the US in 2018.
Pakistan’s military operates US-built AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter variants and will also get 30 T-129 ATAK combat choppers from Turkey.
Also read: In the works for Army Training Command — wings for training, validation & more officers
Peoples, AH-64E is a great attack helio capable of doing many remarkable things, but stealth is not one of them!
BTW, having studying defense for 59-years, I have to agree with Land of Chanakya
Beware of the friendly fire!
NO long-term National security strategy. NO Unified Command. NO missile shield. But, multiple Services and numerous Divisions. And, each one wants a new imported toy!
India has survived so long because it is surrounded by equally stupid neighbors!