Image Source: Agencies

July 22, 2025: On Tuesday, the Indian Army's first shipment of three Apache AH-64E attack helicopters arrived in the country. An AN-124 cargo plane of Soviet origin was used to transport the helicopters, which were manufactured in the United States by Boeing. The aircraft landed at the Hindon Airbase.
The Indian Army had signed a Rs 5,691 crore deal with the US in 2020 for procuring six Apache attack helicopters. The delivery was initially scheduled for the middle of 2024, but delays prompted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the issue with US counterpart Pete Hegseth over the phone. The remaining three helicopters are expected to be delivered by the end of the year.
These helicopters are armed to attack enemy troops, tank on ground and enemy bunkers in unreachable places in the mountains.
The Apache AH-64E is a cutting-edge twin-engine attack helicopter with cutting-edge weapon and avionics systems. It can carry a 30mm chin-mounted cannon, rockets, and air-to-ground Hellfire missiles in combination. The Apache's operational versatility is further enhanced by the fact that it can be equipped with short-range air-to-air missiles like the Stinger. Attack helicopters are conventionally integrated with mechanised formations.
The Army Aviation Corps, which owns 350 helicopters, will include the new Apaches. Attack helicopters and those used for administrative and logistical tasks are included in this fleet.