New Delhi: In a move which is set to strengthen India's defence forces, the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will officially induct the first batch of Apache attack helicopters into the Indian Air Force next month.
According to reports, Apache choppers, being purchased from the United States, will be formally inducted on September 3 at the Pathankot airbase near the western border of the country.
Besides, the first batch consisting of four such choppers have arrived at the Hindan airbase in Ghaziabad.
The AH-64E helicopters, the latest variants of the Apache, have a wide range of capabilities customised to meet IAF's requirements.
The choppers can carry out reconnaissance for security and peacekeeping operations. The system can also transmit and receive images from the ground. In addition to this, 70 mm rockets and anti-tank-missiles adds to its firepower.
The Defence Ministry had finalised the order for production, training and support of 22 Apache attack helicopters in 2015.
Additionally, the Defence Ministry in 2017 approved the procurement of six Apache helicopters along with weapons systems from Boeing at a cost of Rs 4,168 crore for the Army. This will be its first fleet of attack choppers.
Fuselages for this Army order will be produced by Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited, a joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems in Hyderabad.
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