IAF gets its first Apache Guardian attack helicopter at US's Boeing plant
New Delhi: The first Apache Guardian attack helicopter was formally handed over to the Indian Air force at its production facility in Arizona; the Indian air Force tweeted on Saturday.
India has signed a contract with the United States for 22 of these choppers.
Air Marshal AS Butola represented IAF and accepted the first Apache. Representatives from the US government were also present.
Indian Air Force receives its first Apache Guardian attack helicopter at its production facility in Arizona, in the US. India has signed a contract with the US, for 22 of these choppers. pic.twitter.com/YjJmVcpqqk
— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2019
According to IAF, “The helicopter has the capability to carry out precision attacks at standoff ranges and operate in hostile airspace with threats from ground. The ability of these helicopters to transmit and receive battlefield picture, to and from the weapon systems through data networking, makes it a lethal acquisition.”
#ApacheInduction: First AH-64E (I) Apache Guardian helicopter was formally handed over to the IAF at Boeing production facility in Mesa, Arizona, USA on 10 May 19. Air Mshl AS Butola, represented the IAF & accepted the first Apache in a ceremony at Boeing production facility. pic.twitter.com/FzA0IfRine
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 11, 2019
In a Facebook post, the Indian Air Force said these attack helicopters would provide significant edge in any future joint operations in support of land forces.
The first batch of these helicopters is scheduled to be shipped to India by July.
India has already bought the Chinook transport helicopter, made by Boeing, from the US.
