Despite repeated delays from the original schedule, internal sources from India’s Ministry of Defence have confirmed that the United States will deliver the first batch of three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to the Indian Army on July 15. This development comes just days after Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a phone conversation with his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth, on July 1.
As part of the Indian Army’s modernization efforts, the agreement signed in 2020 for $600 million aimed to balance the military escalation with China in the east, as well as to enhance the Army’s ground-attack capabilities—particularly in contested border areas such as the Ladakh region—and to help contain threats in desert regions. The deal included the delivery of six AH-64E Apache helicopters scheduled for May–June 2024, along with training packages, spare parts, and logistical support.
However, disruptions in the supply chain—which also affected the delivery of GE-404 engines for the LCA Tejas MK 1A light combat aircraft—forced the timeline to be pushed back, initially to December of last year.
Despite this, by March 2024, the Indian Army Aviation Corps—the unit designated to operate the new AH-64Es—had established its first Apache squadron at the Nagtalao base in Jodhpur. The necessary infrastructure is already in place, and the 451st Aviation Squadron is ready to begin operations as soon as the Apaches arrive.
Marking more than 15 months of delay, according to open sources, during the July 1st phone call, Singh and Hegseth reviewed defense cooperation between India and the United States, including the delivery of GE engines for the LCA Tejas and the potential establishment of a manufacturing plant in India. On this point, the Indian minister assured that these projects would be prioritized, although no specific timelines were provided.
For its part, the Pentagon, in a statement issued on July 2nd, highlighted its commitment to signing a “10-Year Defense Framework” in 2025, reflecting the strategic partnership between the two countries. This alliance was strengthened following Operation Sindoor, during which the U.S. supported India in counterterrorism operations.
Finally, it is worth noting that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has already been operating 22 Apaches since 2015. The first batch of AH-64Es was deployed at Pathankot Air Station, followed by a second at Jorhat, Assam. It was the second class of U.S.-made helicopters to join the IAF fleet after the Chinook. Since then, Apaches have become a key component of operations in the region.
*Cover photo used for illustrative purposes.
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