Chinooks & Apaches On Their Way

Yunus Dar

As the first batch of Boeing’s US-built heavy-lift Chinook and Apache attack helicopters prepare to be delivered to India in March 2019, the country is readying to add more teeth to its operational capabilities. As the Indian media reported in January 2019, the Chinooks have left the US shores and are expected to arrive in India in February 2019.

IAF’s CH-47F(I) Chinook transport helicopter

The Boeing AH-64 Apache is an American twin-turboshaft attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement. Being an advanced multi-mission helicopter for the US Army and many other countries, CH-47F Chinook is a prominent heavy-lift platform capable of operating in any environment. The helicopter is armed with a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, Common Aviation Architecture Cockpit and advanced cargo-handling capabilities that complement the aircraft’s mission performance and handling characteristics.

After a long delay of three years, the deal having been finalised in September 2015 came into fruition only in July 2018. The USD3 billion deal for 15 Chinook and 22 Apache attack helicopters was a major one and very significant for India’s armed forces and involves an option to buy six more Apaches for which the US administration has given the nod. The contract also comes with a clause that enables India to place follow on orders for 11 more Apache and seven Chinooks.

However, the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) were at loggerheads when in September 2015 the deal for advanced helicopters was signed for the IAF. The army wanted its own squad of 39 Apache helicopters to arm itself