Indian Air Force’s (IAF) combat capability got a boost on Tuesday with the induction of eight U.S. made attack helicopters.
The Apache AH-64E, one of the most advanced multi-role combat helicopters, were delivered at the Pathankot Air station, according to India’s news agency Press Trust reports.
India is scheduled to receive delivery total of 22 Apache helicopters from U.S. manufacturer, Boeing after IAF had signed a multi-billion-dollar contract with the U.S. government in September 2015.
IAF received the first batch of the first four of the 22 helicopters on July 27. The remaining helicopters are expected to be delivered by 2020.
IAF Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa told the induction ceremony: “It is one of the fiercest attack helicopters in the world. It is capable of performing many missions. Today with the induction of Apache AH-64E, the Indian Air Force has upgraded its inventory to the latest generation of attack helicopters.”
India Air Force now become the 16th nation in the world to use the Apache attack helicopters.
