The Indian Air Force (IAF) has confirmed the deployment of its newly acquired Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for patrols along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) separating the Union territory of Ladakh from the Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin plain.
Apaches are now conducting armed night patrols along the LAC. A ranking IAF officer was quoted by Indian media as saying the Apaches were part of the reinforcements rushed to Ladakh after a murderous clash on June 15 that led to the deaths of some 20 jawans of the Indian Army and about 40 soldiers of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF).
News of the Apache deployment came after the IAF announced Boeing Defense, Space & Security had delivered the five remaining Apaches to complete the delivery of 22 of the attack helicopters ordered by India. IAF also said Boeing Rotorcraft Systems had delivered the last batch of Boeing CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. It now operates a further 15 of these beasts.
The final five Apaches delivered to the IAF are the AH-64E "Guardian," the most advanced version. The Apaches were handed over to the IAF at the Hindon Air Force Station. The 22 IAF Apaches operated by the IAF are divided among two squadrons: No. 125 Helicopter Squadron (Gladiators) at Pathankot Air Base in Punjab and No. 137 Squadron based in Jorhat, Assam.
Boeing said the AH-64E has an improved target acquisition designation system providing day and night target tracking system. The system automatically classifies air and ground targets.
The AH-64E's fire control radar has been updated to operate against naval targets, apart from providing reconnaissance, security and lethal attack. This helicopter is armed with a 30 mm M230E1 Chain Gun. A range of external stores and weapons can be loaded onto its stub-wing pylons. A typical load consists of AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles and Hydra 70 general-purpose unguided 70 mm rockets.
The IAF received its first AH-64E on May 11, 2019 in a ceremony at Boeing's Mesa, Arizona facility. Eight more Apaches later joined the IAF's No. 125 Helicopter Squadron, the IAF's first helicopter attack squadron.
In June 2019, the U.S. Department of State approved the sale of six more AH-64Es and equipment to the IAF in $930 million deal. The Indian Army will also operate its own Apaches. In February 2020, the Indian Army ordered another six Apaches. Deliveries of the Indian Army Apaches are expected to begin in 2023.
India finalized the contract with Boeing to procure 22 Apaches and 15 Chinooks for the IAF in September 2015. The Chinooks are designated CH-47F(I). This version made solely for India features a modern machined airframe, a common avionics architecture system cockpit and a digital automatic flight control system. Boeing Rotorcraft Systems said these innovations and technologies will help the IAF meet evolving mission demands, maximize interoperability, and slash life-cycle costs.
