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The Indian Army has received the final batch of three Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, completing the delivery of all six platforms ordered for the Army Aviation Corps. The helicopters will soon be inducted into the Army’s 451 Army Aviation Squadron based in Jodhpur.
According to the Army, the helicopters were flown into India aboard an Antonov An-124 heavy-lift transport aircraft and landed at Hindon air base near Delhi on Tuesday. They will be deployed in Jodhpur after assembly, joint inspections and completion of other formalities in the coming days.
The first three Apache helicopters for the Army were delivered in July this year, while the remaining three arrived on Tuesday. With this, the Army has concluded a long-awaited induction process that had faced multiple delays. Earlier timelines had suggested deliveries would begin in 2023, later revised to early 2024, with the first batch initially expected around February–March before eventually arriving in July.
The Army’s Apache helicopters made their operational debut during Exercise Maru Jwala earlier this year, conducted as part of the larger tri-services exercise Trishul. Following the arrival of the initial batch, the Army formally inducted the Apache into its aviation fleet.
In a post on X, the Indian Army termed the induction a “milestone moment,” stating that the arrival of the platforms would “bolster the operational capabilities of the Indian Army significantly.”
The United States has also welcomed the induction. In a statement, the U.S. Embassy in India said the delivery was in line with commitments made under the joint statement issued by the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of India.
“Delivering on the POTUS and PMO India joint statement, the arrival of the latest Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters for the Indian Army marks another step forward in the U.S.-India Major Defence Partnership,” the embassy said. It added that the milestone reflects a “reliable and growing #USIndiaDefense partnership” and fulfils commitments made by the U.S. Secretary of War and India’s Defence Minister. “With its cutting-edge capabilities, the Apache strengthens our shared vision for regional security and deepens cooperation in co-production, training, and technology exchange,” the statement noted.
Delivering on the @POTUS and @PMOIndia joint statement, the arrival of the latest @boeing_in AH-64E Apache helicopters for the Indian Army @adgpi marks another step forward in the U.S.India Major Defense Partnership. This milestone reflects the reliable and growing… pic.twitter.com/LmVRKQKo5C
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 17, 2025
The Apache induction is part of the Army’s broader effort to expand its attack helicopter and aerial firepower capabilities. The Army is also set to induct 90 indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand and already operates the weaponised Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Rudra.
An earlier Army statement issued on the Army Aviation Corps’ raising day said the induction of Apache helicopters is expected to significantly enhance the strike, reconnaissance and battlefield support capabilities of the Corps.
The Indian Air Force already operates a fleet of 22 Apache helicopters, deployed primarily in Ladakh and the western sector.
The AH-64E Apache can carry a wide range of weapons, including air-to-ground Hellfire missiles, 70 mm Hydra rockets and air-to-air Stinger missiles, along with a 30 mm chain gun carrying 1,200 rounds. It is equipped with the Longbow fire control radar, which provides 360-degree target detection, and a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night and adverse-weather operations.
The AH-64E is the most advanced variant of the Apache family. The Version 6 configuration includes upgrades to sensors, software and weapons performance and is designed for modern, networked Multi-Domain Operations. According to Boeing, the AH-64E v6 is optimised for highly contested battle spaces, integrating on-board and off-board sensors, long-range stand-off weapons, and network connectivity to support joint operations.
Team BharatShakti
