US SecDef Panetta to seal Apache attack heli deal during June 6 visit

[SP!TF!R3]

IA's aviation corps need these..

 

[JayAtl]

Any reason we do that?

If they have extracted the price already , why sign up for more and pay ahead of time ? It's more of fiscal/ budgeting issue , unless of course you are buying 250 of them and get some ridiculously low price for that volume.

 

[sancho]

^^^ any idiot knows the Apache is streaks ahead of any attack helo on the planet including the LCH. It is not purely in avionics but this is a huge advantage Apache has also firepower, weapons suite and survivabilty.


Regarding numbers- we will see who is right.

Don't take it personal buddy, I just pointed out that people are mistaken to think there is a similar kind of hi / lo mix between combat helicopters like there is between fighters. As the specs that I provided showed, the firepower of LCH is by far not inferior to Apaches, in most fields it is even equal, while it has some slight advantages in the flight performance area. That's because combat helicopters are all meant for the same roles and with the same main design (tandem seat config, stubwings, chin mounted gun...), while fighters differes way more in roles, design, capability, see light class Tejas vs. medium class Rafale for example.
The other point was, that you simply claimed IAF would procure high numbers, but without any reasons, nor understanding the changes in this combat heli field of our forces. IA will procure high numbers of Rudra and LCH, which makes them independent from asking IAF for fire support. That leaves only very few roles for IAFs combat helicopters and why they might use the Apaches as explained in my last post and why high numbers of Apache are not needed.

My bet 30 for IAF and 30for IA.

This is a sole IAF procurements, IA has no involvement.

 

[Nishan_101]

they might going to order more in future as well and the final number would be 60-90s.

 

[Shatterpoint]

The ones India are getting have the works, the full HIRES digital cockpit as well, awesome stuff, this copter is a beast of a machine and India has made the right choice here, no other heli comes close to this beast.

 

[Abingdonboy]

The ones India are getting have the works, the full HIRES digital cockpit as well, awesome stuff, this copter is a beast of a machine and India has made the right choice here, no other heli comes close to this beast.

+1 Blk.III is in a league of its own. No other nation can hope to get to this level for at least a decade.

 

[faithfulguy]

The Apache isn't an interim measure until the LCH comes online. The Apache will form part of the high-low mix of which it is the high component. The Apache is far, FAR more capable than the LCH hence having plenty of these platforms is a real boost. And I have no doubt 70-80 units of AH-64D Blk.III are certain.

You are one of few Indians that has common sense. India should get more Apache as it will need it.

 

[Nishan_101]

Although there is a severe shortage of funds and due to some other influence from outer world in Pakistan. If its not, then we might gone for a JV with Chinese on Chopper development programs like producing three different classes of Choppers for our need and also Z-10 program too. The we might go for 110 Z-10Ps.

 

[janon]

Although there is a severe shortage of funds and due to some other influence from outer world in Pakistan. If its not, then we might gone for a JV with Chinese on Chopper development programs like producing three different classes of Choppers for our need and also Z-10 program too. The we might go for 110 Z-10Ps.

There is a severe shortage of funds in India, otherwise we would have gone for a JV with Russia for 20 Nimitz-like supercarriers. This "severe shortage of funds" is due to some outside influence too.

 

[sancho]

+1 Blk.III is in a league of its own. No other nation can hope to get to this level for at least a decade.

You highly overestimate the differences between combat helicopters. The latest Cobra version for example has high level of commonality to the Apache, be it it systems, weapons or carrying capability and still it's clear that the Apache is the better helicopter, however only in certain fields. For the general fire support roles, the Cobra will be as useful though and that is similar to all combat helicopters.
The only helicopter that really is in another league, is the RAH 66 Comanche, because it sets new standards in all performance levels!

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

Thats good news
Btw when will be the Rafale deal be signed?
The French promised to give 24 Ac in 2 years

 

[Abingdonboy]

Thats good news
Btw when will be the Rafale deal be signed?
The French promised to give 24 Ac in 2 years

Some time this financial/calendar year but most likely on the tail end. Contract negtioans only started very recently if I am rembering correctly. Delivery looks to be in at earliest Q4 2014/Q1 2015.

 

[Indian009]

Some time this financial/calendar year but most likely on the tail end. Contract negtioans only started very recently if I am rembering correctly. Delivery looks to be in at earliest Q4 2014/Q1 2015.

Correct me if I am wrong.
Deal is supposed to be signed in this FY. And French has to deliver off shelf order in 2 years. Right ???

Any ways any news about the so called inquiry ??? Last I heard ( from my long ears ) report of the enquiry was to be submitted before end of May. But still there is no news. Is that idot is going to cause more delay ??? Anyone has longer ears here ???