Indian Air Force To Buy 22 Apache Helos

[arp2041]

If it is replacing our existing attack helicopters the numbers of Apache helicopters bought has to be increased.

AFAIK we are currently having 20 MI-35 attack helos (correct me if wrong) so we are already buying more than we have i.e. 22. Anyways Indian Armed forces always go for a follow-on orders if they find the performance of the product upto the mark/satisfactory. follow on order for 6 C-130Js, 4 P-8Is etc. are some of the examples. I am sure with good product support & timely delivery of Apache by Boeing, there will be no reason for not ordering more of these birds. I think the nos. can easily touch 40+ making IAF largest operator of Apache outside US.

 

[surya kiran]

India has to buy another 28, Then we will have - 50, India can also reduce the number Light combat helicopters because of increase in number of Apache helicopters, India must also buy Hydra 70 Rockets, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles along with Apache helicopters, India must also buy Agm-114 hellfire missiles for its Light Combat helicopters also.

In reality it will be a hi-lo combination. Apaches will work the LCH. Typically in the Hunter-Killer roles. While the Longbow can fucntion in both the hunter-killer role, it makes more sense to use it with a swarm of LCH. One role not spoken about much is the role the Apache can play in SEAD operations. And this gives the Apache a dual role during a conflict. Both for giving armour better penetration power and in establishing air superiority in the first few days of anti-air def ops.

 

[Yeti]

Beast of a attack helicopter!

 

[Abdi-Karim Elmi]

I see India is leaving the Russian defence industry behind. AH-64D is one serious weapon. BTW what happened to all that talk about india having indigenous weapons like Nag ATM rather than Hellfire or the Russo-Indian Cargo Airoplane instead of the Globemaster?What about the Engines or the LCA or the Arjun tank? Faliures too?

 

[EzioAltaïr]

I see India is leaving the Russian defence industry behind. AH-64D is one serious weapon. BTW what happened to all that talk about india having indigenous weapons like Nag ATM rather than Hellfire or the Russo-Indian Cargo Airoplane instead of the Globemaster?What about the Engines or the LCA or the Arjun tank? Faliures too?

Nag Helo launched version is called Helina. Still under development, there have been a few successful tests.

Russo-Indian cargo plane instead of C-17? You've got to be kidding me mate. That thing is a medium lift aircraft, 20 tons max. C-17 can lift 70 tons. Once we induct the Il-214, it's obviously not gonna replace the Globemaster, but supplement it.

Engines on the LCA? Still working on it.

Arjun tank engines? That has been put on the Mk2. DRDO is waiting for the army to finish user-trials before manufacturing starts.

 

[Srinivas]

I see India is leaving the Russian defence industry behind. AH-64D is one serious weapon. BTW what happened to all that talk about india having indigenous weapons like Nag ATM rather than Hellfire or the Russo-Indian Cargo Airoplane instead of the Globemaster?What about the Engines or the LCA or the Arjun tank? Faliures too?

They are under development, NAG is operational. LCA and ARJUN are successful projects and DRDO is building on the technological expertise they gained with these projects.
ARJUN Mark 2 is good tank with some indigenous technologies, LCA mark2 is also in good progress.

 

[S10]

Indian logistical support must be the most advanced in the world, seeing they serve so many models from all over the world.

 

[Jason bourne]

Apache longbows helmet :

Integrated Helmet And Display Sighting System (IHADSS) : AH-64 Aviators use the Integrated Helmet And Display Sighting System (IHADSS).The IHADSS is the only helmet approved for the AH-64 and has been in use for over 20 years. A unique feature of the IHADSS helmet is that it serves as a platform for Helmet Mounted Display (HMD). The HMD provides pilotage and fire control imagery and flight symbology.Fitting of the IHADSS helmet typically takes several hours to complete...

 

[sancho]

Wrt costs:

USA issues FMS documents for South Korean AH-1Z, AH-64D bids

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal related to South Korea's AHX competition for 36 attack helicopters.

The FMS documents have priced 36 Boeing AH-64D Block III Apache Longbows at $3.6 billion and 36 Bell Helicopter AH-1Z "Zulus" at $2.6 billion. Both listed a range of support equipment, weapons, sensors, communications equipment and services related to a possible sale...

USA issues FMS documents for South Korean AH-1Z, AH-64D bids

 

[surya kiran]

Defence ministry okays deals worth over $3bn to buy 15 Chinook, 22 Apache copters

The defence ministry has cleared two crucial deals worth more than $3.1 billion to equip the Indian Air Force with US-built attack and heavy-lift helicopters.


Defence minister Manohar Parrikar has sent the proposals to buy 22 AH-64D Apache Longbow attack and 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift copters — both platforms manufactured by US defence giant Boeing — to the finance ministry for clearance, a government official said on Monday.


The Apache proposal went to the finance ministry on April 23, while the one to buy Chinooks was sent last week. The proposals will later go to the cabinet committee on security, headed by PM Narendra Modi, for final clearance. The latest price extension granted by Boeing for the choppers is valid till June 30.


The deals are, however, not linked to US defence secretary Ashton Carter’s upcoming visit to India, beginning June 2.


The proposals have clauses to place follow-on orders for 11 more Apaches and four extra Chinooks. Both platforms have seen combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. Boeing had beaten off competition from Russia, which had offered its Mi-28N Night Hunter and Mi-26 heavy-lift copters to the IAF.


Armed with fire-and-forget Hellfire missiles, the Apache attack choppers can track up to 128 targets in a minute and prioritise threats.


These missiles equip the helicopter gunships with heavy anti-armour capabilities. The army is moving a case to buy 39 Apache helicopters. The Chinook’s main roles include transporting troops, artillery and battlefield resupply.


Carter will be arriving in India four months after New Delhi and Washington renewed the 2005 India-US Defence Framework Agreement to deepen cooperation in several security-related areas. The agreement led to some major weapon sales to India, deepened military-to-military engagements, bolstered technical cooperation and strengthened the overall strategic partnership. India and the US will also be working on projects relating to co-development and co-production of military hardware and systems under the defence trade and technology initiative (DTTI).


India and US have identified four key “pathfinder projects” for joint development and production under the DTTI. These include next generation Raven mini-UAVs, roll-on and roll-off kits for C-130J Super Hercules planes and mobile electric hybrid power sources.


The US is currently the biggest supplier of weapons to the Indian military, having won deals worth over $10 billion during the last six years.

 

[wiseone2]

As for the cost, maybe there are far more things involved. Maybe, there is technology transfer etc., Which is not talked about. Maybe thats why it costs more. Just throwing it out there. So we cant look at money spent by another country, divide it by number of helicopters and then say India is being cheated. Am sure the govt that is spending money knows better.

american weapons are too expensive

 

[IND151]

Defence ministry okays deals worth over $3bn to buy 15 Chinook, 22 Apache copters

The defence ministry has cleared two crucial deals worth more than $3.1 billion to equip the Indian Air Force with US-built attack and heavy-lift helicopters.


Defence minister Manohar Parrikar has sent the proposals to buy 22 AH-64D Apache Longbow attack and 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift copters — both platforms manufactured by US defence giant Boeing — to the finance ministry for clearance, a government official said on Monday.


The Apache proposal went to the finance ministry on April 23, while the one to buy Chinooks was sent last week. The proposals will later go to the cabinet committee on security, headed by PM Narendra Modi, for final clearance. The latest price extension granted by Boeing for the choppers is valid till June 30.


The deals are, however, not linked to US defence secretary Ashton Carter’s upcoming visit to India, beginning June 2.


The proposals have clauses to place follow-on orders for 11 more Apaches and four extra Chinooks. Both platforms have seen combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. Boeing had beaten off competition from Russia, which had offered its Mi-28N Night Hunter and Mi-26 heavy-lift copters to the IAF.


Armed with fire-and-forget Hellfire missiles, the Apache attack choppers can track up to 128 targets in a minute and prioritise threats.


These missiles equip the helicopter gunships with heavy anti-armour capabilities. The army is moving a case to buy 39 Apache helicopters. The Chinook’s main roles include transporting troops, artillery and battlefield resupply.


Carter will be arriving in India four months after New Delhi and Washington renewed the 2005 India-US Defence Framework Agreement to deepen cooperation in several security-related areas. The agreement led to some major weapon sales to India, deepened military-to-military engagements, bolstered technical cooperation and strengthened the overall strategic partnership. India and the US will also be working on projects relating to co-development and co-production of military hardware and systems under the defence trade and technology initiative (DTTI).


India and US have identified four key “pathfinder projects” for joint development and production under the DTTI. These include next generation Raven mini-UAVs, roll-on and roll-off kits for C-130J Super Hercules planes and mobile electric hybrid power sources.


The US is currently the biggest supplier of weapons to the Indian military, having won deals worth over $10 billion during the last six years.

We should have selected Mi 28 N.

The US is currently the biggest supplier of weapons to the Indian military, having won deals worth over $10 billion during the last six years

But our 70% + hardware still remains of Soviet/Russian Origin.

In reality it will be a hi-lo combination. Apaches will work the LCH. Typically in the Hunter-Killer roles. While the Longbow can fucntion in both the hunter-killer role, it makes more sense to use it with a swarm of LCH. One role not spoken about much is the role the Apache can play in SEAD operations. And this gives the Apache a dual role during a conflict. Both for giving armour better penetration power and in establishing air superiority in the first few days of anti-air def ops.

Exactly.......................

 

[Abingdonboy]

We should have selected Mi 28 N.

The IAF conducted comparative trails and selected the AH-64E on the back of what they found, they are in a FAR more informed position- and we should respect their decision.

 

[IND151]

The IAF conducted comparative trails and selected the AH-64E on the back of what they found, they are in a FAR more informed position- and we should respect their decision.

AH-64 is far better (techwise) than Mi 28 N.

But there are other factors which are in favour of MI 28 N.

If you think deeply, you will understand.

 

[Abingdonboy]

AH-64 is far better (techwise) than Mi 28 N.

But there are other factors which are in favour of MI 28 N.

If you think deeply, you will understand.

You've said it yourself the AH-64E is the better machine and India needs to diversify its fleet, an over dependance on Russia has led to a lot of issues in the past. Russia has consistently proven unable or unwilling to provide adequate after sales support to most Russian-origin equipment in India meaning a lot of the kit is plagued by unreliability and high levels of downtime. All the purchases and investment in military gear India has made in Russia and still Russia is delaying every single project/procurement and asking for more money? This is the time to show the Russians they either perform or they will get hurt in their pocket.

US equipment on the other hand has high levels of availability written into the contract- Boeing is legally obligated to ensure the IAF's C-17 fleet maintains a 85% availability rate. These are figures one could only dream of with Russian equipment.


It is a win-win deal all around.