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Another day, another emergency landing. On Thursday, an Indian Air Force (IAF) AH-64E Apache attack helicopter was forced to land in a field near Haled village, close to Pathankot. There were no casualties — but the incident marks the second such episode in two weeks and the fourth in as many months, raising uncomfortable questions about the reliability of a combat platform once hailed as a “flying tank.”
More troublingly, the latest mishap comes even as the Indian Army waits for the long-delayed delivery of six Apache helicopters ordered under a 2020 deal, despite assurances that the first units would arrive by mid-2024, not a single helicopter has been handed over.
The pattern is hard to ignore. Are India’s Apaches safe? Why is the U.S. military retiring the same helicopters it’s exporting to India?
India Buys, U.S. Discards: The Apache Dilemma
Once the crown jewel of America’s aerial firepower in asymmetric conflicts, the Apache’s star appears to be dimming. In 2023, the U.S. Army began retiring its AH-64D models and cast doubt on the future of the AH-64E variants as well.
Lt. Gen. Joseph Ryan, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at the U.S. Army, minced no words:
“The AH-64D is not a war-winning capability… and even the AH-64E is nearing the end of its tactical shelf life.”
Meanwhile, India continues to induct the same helicopters — a problematic dynamic that underscores an increasingly lopsided defence relationship. As the U.S. accelerates the development of the next-generation MV-75 (formerly FLRAA), the Apache’s utility is being phased out. The writing is on the wall: the Apache’s best days are behind it.
Apache’s record in Indian service is patchy
Despite its sophisticated sensor suite and firepower, the Apache’s record in Indian service is patchy at best. In just the first half of 2024:
- One Apache made a precautionary landing in Ladakh and suffered damage in the high-altitude terrain.
- Another was grounded near Jamnagar due to reported internal power issues.
- A third was forced to land mid-sortie near Saharanpur.
- And now, the Pathankot episode — the second emergency landing in less than 14 days.
Defence sources cite recurring problems such as electrical generator failures, cockpit smoke due to power surges, and stability issues at high altitudes — all of which could prove disastrous in real combat.
Apache in the Desert, LCH in the Mountains: A Tactical Split?
India has maintained that Apache helicopters are best suited for desert warfare, particularly for anti-armour roles in Western theatres. However, their underwhelming performance in mountainous regions, such as Ladakh and the northeast, has prompted quiet reassessments.
In contrast, India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’, tailored for high-altitude warfare, has outperformed expectations. Designed by HAL, the LCH is increasingly viewed as a more reliable and versatile platform in Himalayan conditions — precisely where the Apache struggles.
A Squadron Without Helicopters
The Indian Army formally raised its first Apache squadron at Nagtalao near Jodhpur in March 2024. The base infrastructure, personnel, and training facilities are all in place — except the helicopters.
Once again, “supply chain disruptions” are being cited, echoing the same explanation offered for delays in delivering GE-404 engines for the LCA Mk1A. But the excuses are wearing thin. With no confirmed delivery timeline, the Army’s Apache squadron remains little more than a paper capability.
Strategic Oversight or Weaponised Dependence?
A growing chorus in India’s strategic community is asking tough questions. Is the U.S. offloading obsolete platforms onto India while retaining next-gen systems like the MV-75 and F-35s for itself and its NATO allies?
With both Apaches and Chinooks facing operational and delivery concerns, the premise of “interoperability” with U.S. forces begins to feel hollow. India’s recent decision to procure 156 more LCH units — part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat push — signals a potential shift away from high-risk foreign OEMs toward trusted indigenous alternatives.
Huma Siddiqui
