Second batch of AH-64E (I) Apache Guardian attack helicopters for India arrives

Indian Air Force officials receiving the first AH-64E(I) in the US. Photo c/o IAF.

A second batch of four (4) Boeing AH-64E(I) Apache Guardian attack helicopters has arrived in India earlier than scheduled, Boeing confirmed with IHS Janes on 7 August 2019.

The helicopters arrived after being flown in from the United States by an Antonov An-124 Condor commercial airlifter, arriving at Hindon Air Force Station.

These would be assembled and flight tested at Hindon AFS and will be officially handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of August 2019. It is expected that this batch will be assigned at Pathankot AFS near the border with Pakistan by early September 2019.

India ordered 24 units in 2015 to arm two squadrons through a combined Direct Commercial Sale (DCS) and US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement with the US government.

Delivery of the rest of the order comprising 14 more units will be completed by 2020.


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly