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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Indian Army gets first batch of Apache helicopters; calls it a milestone
The Indian Army on Tuesday announced that the first batch of three Apache helicopters has arrived. Hailing it as a milestone moment, the Army said that these state-of-the-art platforms will strengthen the Indian Army's operational capabilities greatly. Taking to X, the additional directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of MoD (Army) shared this announcement and said, "Apache for Indian Army. Milestone moment for Indian Army as the first batch of Apache helicopters for Army Aviation arrives today in India. These state-of-the-art platforms will bolster the operational capabilities of the Indian Army significantly.' An India Today report mentions, the first batch of Apache helicopters has been delayed numerous times and has arrived in India after a delay of over 15 months. The Apache attack helicopters will be assembled and inspected before they are handed over to the Indian Army's Aviation Corps. These attack helicopters will then fly to their base in Jodhpur, after the due process is completed. The report suggests that the Aviation Corps has been waiting for these attack helicopters since its founding in March 2024 in Jodhpur. The delivery of the Apache AH-64E attack helicopters failed to meet many deadlines. The Indian Army was anticipating the delivery of the first batch from the US in June 2024. According to an Indian Express report, the delivery of the first batch has come after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh sought fast-tracking of deliveries, in a telephone call with US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. Apart from the combat helicopters, Singh also sought fast-tracking delivery of GE F404 engines, which will power India's LCA Tejas. The Apache attack helicopters were part of the $600 million deal between India and the US in 2020. Under the deal, the Indian Army was to procure six additional combat helicopters for the army. All you need to know about Apache helicopters According to an ANI report, the Apache AH-64E helicopter is capable of delivering a diverse range of weapons, ranging from air-to-ground Hellfire missiles, 70 mm Hydra rockets, and air-to-air Stinger missiles. Widely considered among the most advanced attack helicopters in the world, it is designed to execute precision strikes even in the most hostile combat zones. The Apache helicopter is equipped with a foldable 30 mm chain gun, which holds 1,200 rounds, forming part of its area weapon subsystem. Enhancing its combat capabilities, the helicopter features fire-control radar with 360-degree coverage and a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision operations.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Tanks in the air' arriving next week: Indian Army to get three Apache helicopters for deployment near Pakistan border
India Army will receive three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from the United States on July 21, according to an NDTV report. These helicopters will be stationed near the Pakistan border to boost the Army's offensive and reconnaissance operations. The aircraft will arrive at the Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad. Apaches, the world's most advanced attack helicopter, is often called as the tank killers or 'Tank in the air'. This delivery follows a delay caused by global supply chain issues and shifting geopolitical conditions. It comes over 15 months after the Indian Army established its first Apache squadron in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Background on Apache acquisitions and deployment The Indian Air Force signed a deal with the US and Boeing in 2015 to buy 22 Apache helicopters. The delivery was completed by July 2020. Later in 2020, India signed another deal worth $600 million to buy six more Apaches for the Army. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Profit in Just 15 Minutes? You Just Need Right Strategy thefutureuniversity Learn More Undo The first set of helicopters under the second contract was originally scheduled to be delivered between May and June 2024. However, the timeline was pushed back. Also Read: 'Third revolution': CDS Anil Chauhan warns about changing wars, says future belongs to smaller not bigger weapons Live Events Recently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. During the discussion, Singh requested faster delivery of the Apache helicopters and also flagged the urgent need for GE F404 engines, which are meant for the LCA Tejas fighter jets. Singh said it was an 'excellent discussion' aimed at strengthening the India–US defence partnership. In 2022, the Indian Army conducted an internal study that projected a need for 39 Apache helicopters to meet long-term requirements. The Apache is viewed as a crucial addition to India's efforts to modernise the Army Aviation Corps. Other helicopter platforms in operation Apart from the Apache, the Indian Army operates several other helicopter platforms. These include the Rudra, an armed version of the Dhruv helicopter, used for anti-tank and close air support roles. Lighter helicopters such as the Cheetah and Chetak continue to be deployed for medical evacuation, logistics, and surveillance missions in remote areas. India is also focusing on indigenous platforms. The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand has been designed to perform in high-altitude environments. In March 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹62,700 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the production of 156 Prachand helicopters—66 for the Air Force and 90 for the Army.
Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Second GE 404 engine delivered to HAL, 12 Tejas Mk 1 A to be delivered by year-end: Officials
Twelve Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas will be ready to be rolled out by December this year, of which six have already been lined up, government officials privy to the latest developments have said. Officials confirmed to The Indian Express that the second GE F404 engine from US defence major GE Aerospace has already landed in India as of Monday and would be taken to the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in Bengaluru, where they will be integrated with the indigenous Tejas Mk 1 A aircraft. In August 2021, HAL placed an order worth Rs 5,375 crore for 99 F404 engines with GE Aerospace to power the indigenously made Tejas Mk-1A. The first of these jet engines was delivered to HAL after a delay of nearly a year and a half, in April this year. The Indian Air Force has placed an order to procure 83 Mk 1 A fighter jets. The defence ministry is also in the process of procuring 97 more LCA Mk-1As at a cost of around Rs 67,000 crore Officials said that GE Aerospace has said it will deliver 10 engines by the end of this year. 'It takes about a month to integrate the engines and do the tests. The process first involves building the fuselage, then getting the lobing and piping done, followed by combining the landing gear,' an official explained. 'After integrating the engines, the ground runs, including the high-speed runs, are carried out for all thorough checks,' the official added. The deliveries of LCA Tejas Mk 1A were scheduled to begin in March 2024, but were delayed by over a year. Last month, HAL Chairperson and Managing Director D K Sunil attributed the delay to GE Aerospace missing the deadline to supply the aircraft engines to HAL for Tejas Mk 1A. The development came weeks after IAF Chief Air Marshal AP Singh expressed concerns over delays in the delivery of the jets. The timely induction of the indigenous fighter jets, including Tejas Mk 1A, is crucial to hold the IAF's dwindling squadron strength. The IAF has phased out most of its MiG-21 squadrons, and early next decade, it is likely to begin phasing out other ageing fighter squadrons. According to officials, HAL plans to produce 16 fighter jets next year, provided the engine deliveries from the US are on schedule. The original plans were to produce 16 aircraft every year and complete deliveries of all jets by 2030. The Tejas Mk 1 A jets have multiple upgrades over the Tejas Mk 1 version, including integration of the AESA radar, Advanced Electronic Warfare Suite with a jammer, and Beyond Visual Range (BVR) capabilities with integration of Derby and the indigenous ASTRA missile. Officials said testing for the indigenously-made ASTRA missile firings from the aircraft is underway at present. Earlier this month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asked US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to expedite the deliveries of GE F404 engines that will power the Tejas Mk 1 A. The engine deliveries from GE Aerospace were originally scheduled to begin in 2023, but were delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues.
Mint
03-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Boeing AH-64E Apache: What India's upcoming US-made attack choppers can do
India is likely to receive three of the six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters ordered for the Army by the end of this month, after a delay of about 15 months, media reports said. The development comes after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a telephone call with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, sought fast-tracking deliveries of the combat helicopters and GE F404 engines that will power India's LCA Tejas, the Indian Express said in a report. India and the United States signed a $600 million deal to procure six additional Apache helicopters for the Army in 2020, following a contract to procure 22 helicopters for the Indian Air Force in 2015. The six Apache helicopters were supposed to be delivered in three batches in May–June 2024. The delay in delivery was attributed to technical and supply chain issues. News reports said these six new Apache AH-64E helicopters will be based at Jodhpur in Rajasthan and deployed along the western borders with Pakistan. The Apache squadron in Jodhpur was established in 2024 by the Army Aviation Corps. The Squadron has been waiting for helicopters for over 15 months now. The Apache AH-64E is recognised as one of the most advanced and lethal multi-role attack helicopters in the world. Developed by Boeing, it features a combination of firepower, agility and cutting-edge technology. 'The AH-64E is the most modern configuration of the Apache and is ready for the multi-domain operation (MDO) battlefield. A network-centric, fully integrated weapon system specifically built to dominate in a highly contested and complex battle space, the AH-64E Version 6, or v6, Apache includes multiple enhancements to the aircraft's sensors, software and weapons performance,' reads the Boeing website. The helicopter is equipped with Hellfire missiles, 70mm rockets, and a 30mm chain gun, according to reports. It is capable of engaging ground targets, armoured vehicles, and even low-flying aircraft. Also, the advanced sensors, targeting radar, and night vision capabilities make it suitable for operations in all conditions, including high-altitude and low-visibility combat zones. In addition to offensive roles, the Apache's survivability features, including crash-resistant structures, redundant flight systems and infrared suppression, make it a highly reliable platform in modern warfare. 'The Modernised Apache builds on the mature, combat-proven AH-64 platform and combines it with the convergence of cutting-edge attack helicopter technologies to deliver greater reach, survivability and lethality. It represents the most affordable, achievable, low-risk attack helicopter for MDO decision dominance,' the Boeing website says. Boeing's AH-64E v6 is a fully integrated, optimised for battle attack helicopter that is truly in a class by itself, it says. It provides and integrates advanced capabilities through a layered effect of onboard and offboard sensors, stand-off long-range weapons and the connectivity required to use all the tools the ecosystem can bring. The AH-64E v6, also known as the Apache Guardian, is the latest and most advanced version of the Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. 'Designed for interoperability within the MDO ecosystem, the AH-64E v6 is a lethal, survivable and agile system providing the reach, manoeuvrability and performance needed by ground forces and contributes to current and future joint mission success,' the website reads. Boeing delivered the first US Army Apache AH-64A in January 1984. Since then, the US Army and other nations have received more than 2,700 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. Apart from India, the other customers for the Apache include Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. In March 2023, Boeing said it would build 184 AH-64E Apaches for the US Army and international customers. This $1.9 billion award brought the total current funded value of the contract to $2.1 billion, and has the potential to increase to more than $3.8 billion with future obligations, the company had said in a press statement then.
Hans India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Pentagon Confirms 10-Year India-US Defence Framework Aimed at Deepening Ties
India and US likely to sign new defence framework at next Rajnath Singh Pete Hegseth meet. India and the US will ink a new India US defence framework when Singh meets his US counterpart later this year, according to a Pentagon official. The U.S.-India Defence Framework was noted in an official readout published by the Pentagon on Wednesday. 'The two leaders agreed to sign the India US defence contract next 10-year India-U.S. defense pact at their upcoming meeting this year.' 'The two sides had a productive discussion, including an overview of the accomplishments made since the release of the February 2025 2+2 ministerial statement in further strengthening Rajnath Singh defence ties,' the readout said. 'The Pentagon said the two sides discussed significant upcoming U.S. defense sales to India and the importance of continued India US defence cooperation,' it added, without elaborating. India Asks US to Expedite Delivery of GE F404 Engines for Tejas Jets. During the phone call on Tuesday, Singh had also asked Hegseth to expedite the delivery of GE F404 engines needed for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), people familiar with the development told PTI. Singh also 'underscored the need to expedite the finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and GE Aerospace for the joint production of F414 jet engines' which is 'expected to be a significant element of apache helicopter India deal,' sources familiar with the development told The EurAsian Times. The delayed supply of F404 engines by GE Aerospace has led to the state-run aerospace major missing its deadline to deliver Tejas Mark 1A aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF). On Tuesday, the Indian readout of the Singh–Hegseth meeting said the two 'discussed a range of issues related to defence cooperation, including sustained military-to-military cooperation, capacity building through training and exchanges, and enhanced engagement between the two defence industries.'
