- By Mayukh Debnath
- Fri, 15 Mar 2024 06:56 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Indian Army Raises Apache Squadron: In a significant leap towards its capability building in line with modern warfare, the Indian Army on Friday raised its first Apache attack helicopter squadron in Rajasthan's Jodhpur, a desert sector near the Pakistan border.
Indian Army today raised its first Apache attack helicopter squadron in Jodhpur in the presence of senior officials including Army Aviation Corps Director General Lt Gen Ajay Suri and officials from the equipment manufacturer. The first choppers of the squadron are scheduled to… pic.twitter.com/WXUrSzPD6y
— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024
The raising ceremony took place in the presence of Director General Indian Army Aviation Lt Gen Ajay Suri and representatives of the chopper manufacturer, US-based defence and aerospace giant Boeing, Indian Army officials cited by news agency ANI said.
Back in 2020, an agreement between Boeing and Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government was inked for the acquisition of six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for the Indian Army. The first batch of the multi-role combat helicopters is expected to be delivered by May this year, the Army officials informed.
The choppers being custom-made for the Indian Army will don a camouflage desert colour scheme. Also known as 'Apache Guardian', the AH-64E is described by Boeing as the "most advanced" helicopter in the multi-role combat category.
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Notably, the IAF already operates a fleet of 22 Apache helicopters which have been deployed on the eastern and western fronts. Below are some of the key technical features of the AH-64Es being produced to match India's military requirements in an era of threats emanating from the external components of the '2.5 fronts' of hostilities for India, namely China and Pakistan:
- The tandem seating aircraft is capable of delivering a variety of projectiles, including air-to-ground Hellfire missile, air-to-air Stinger missiles and 70 mm Hydra rockets.
- The attack helicopter comes mounted with a 30 mm chain gun with 1200 rounds as part of area weapon sub system.
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- It also carries fire control radar, which has a 360° coverage and nose mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems.
Capabilities that make Apache AH-64E the most versatile attack helicopter for India's military:
- Is day/night-, all-weather-capable and has high agility and survivability against battle damage.
- Has significant capability in mountainous terrain.
- Can carry out precision attacks at standoff ranges and operate in hostile airspace with threats from ground.
- Is able to transmit and receive the battlefield picture to and from the weapon systems through data networking.
(With inputs from ANI)