Apache Helicopters for Indian Army | 21 Dec 2019

The deal for six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for the Indian Army is to be signed.

Currently, the Army Aviation Corps operates only smaller Cheetah and ALH (Advanced Light Helicopters) that weigh less than five tonnes.
These are in addition to 22 Apaches being inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) which will replace the Russian Mi-35 attack helicopters in service.

Better known as an attack helicopter are received from the Boeing production facility in Mesa, Arizona, USA.
These are all-weather capable, easily maintainable and have high agility and survivability against battle damage.
The capabilities of the AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter includes:
- It can carry out precision attacks at standoff ranges and operate in hostile airspace with threats from the ground.
- It can transmit and receive battlefield picture through data uplinking and networking.
- It can also shoot fire and forget anti-tank guided missiles, air to air missiles, rockets while providing versatility to helicopter in network-centric aerial warfare.
- It also carries fire control radar, which has a 360° coverage and nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems.
The addition of the Apache Attack Helicopter is a significant step towards modernisation of Indian Air Force helicopter fleet and the Indian Army.

The Cheetah Helicopter is a high-performance helicopter designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
It is identical to LAMA SA 315B Helicopter of Eurocopter, France.
It is a five-seater multi-role, multi-purpose, highly manoeuvrable helicopter.
It holds the world record in high altitude flying among all categories of Helicopters.
The helicopter is suitable for commuting, observation, surveillance, logistics support, rescue operations and high altitude missions.

The indigenously designed and developed Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-DHRUV) is a twin-engine, multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter in the 5.5-ton weight class.
The major variants of Dhruv are classified as Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III & Mk-IV.