The first batch of Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack Helicopters is all set to arrive in India on Saturday. The helicopters willarrive from the US defence manufacturing giant Boeing, at Hindon Airbase inGhaziabad today. Reports confirm 3 to 4 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters willbe delivered to India in the first batch and will be sent to the Pathankot airbase near the Indo-Pakistan border. According to the report, Group Captain MShaylu will command the squadron. Currently, 125 Helicopter Squadron of Mi-35choppers is also stationed at Pathankot.

The first IAF unit to receive the new helicopter gunshipswill be the 125 Helicopter Squadron (125 H SQUADRON) deployed at Pathankot. Thesecond AH-64E-equipped squadron will reportedly be stationed at Jorhat Air Basein Assam.It was earlier reported that first four helicopters would arrive on aUS Air Force C-17 Globemaster III Transport Aircraft at Pathankot followingwhich they will be assembled there. But, no official confirmation came from theDefence Ministry or the IAF regarding the place and time of delivery.The firstAH-64E was officially handed over to the IAF during a ceremony at Boeing’sproduction Center in Mesa, Arizona, on May 10.Air Marshal AS Butola, acceptedthe first Apache in a ceremony at Boeing production facility. During theceremony, representatives from the US Government were also present. Air andground crews for the AH-64Es have undergone extensive training over the lastcouple of months at Fort Rocker, Alabama

 India had signed aUSD 2.2 billion contract with the United States and Boeing for the delivery of22 AH-64Es and 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters for the IAF inSeptember 2015.

The IAF inducted the first batch of four CH-47F Chinookhelicopters in its fleet in Chandigarh in March 2019. With this, the Chinookhelicopters became a part of the 126 Helicopter Squadron, which currentlyoperates the last of the Mi-26 heavy-lift choppers.

“The addition of AH-64 E (I) helicopter is a significantstep towards modernisation of IAF’s helicopter fleet. The helicopter has beencustomized to suit IAF’s future requirements and would have significantcapability in mountainous terrain,” the IAF had said in a statement earlier.

The Apache AH-64E helicopter is equipped with a 30-mmmachine gun, which can fire up to 1,200 rounds at a time. Apart from this,Apache is also equipped with the anti-tank Hellfire missile, which is believedto be capable of destroying a tank.

As an additional weapon, a Hydra Unguided Rocket, capable ofperfect execution of any target on land, is also installed. The helicopter canfly at a speed of 150 nautical miles per hour, which helps it to reach theenemy at a tremendous speed in the air.

The helicopter has the capability to carry out precisionattacks at standoff ranges and operate in hostile airspace with threats fromthe ground. The ability of these helicopters, to transmit and receive thebattlefield picture, to and from the weapon systems through data networkingmakes it a lethal acquisition.

These attack helicopters will provide a significant edge inany future joint operations in support of land forces and also help India infortifying its border with Pakistan.