8 of them will be officially inducted tomorrow.
Eight Apache attack helicopters to be inducted into IAF at Pathankot on Tuesday
Eight Apache attack helicopters to be inducted into IAF at Pathankot on Tuesday
Induction ceremony of the Apache AH-64 E today :
Service batch of the 125 Helo Unit ‘Gladiators’ :
water shower at the end of induction ceremony :
Service batch of the 125 Helo Unit ‘Gladiators’ :
water shower at the end of induction ceremony :
Ever since the first pics of the IAF Apache were released - the Same old question - "Where is the LongBow Radar" ???
Obviously, they will be in the process of decommission. Why should they keep it.
Next is 104 Helicopter Unit, based in Suratgarh, Rajasthan. Both will be fully operational by next year end.
What we know of...
22 for the IAF.
6 for the IA for now, and they are interested in a fleet of 39 in total. That's 3 squadrons for the 3 Strike Corps for the plains.
Now these are initial numbers and we do not know if more are planned. The IAF may not expand their Apache inventory anymore. IA may or may not, we do not know.
The main attack helicopter that will make up for numbers will be an indigenous one called LCH. Both IA and IAF are interested in 200. It's been made specifically for mountain warfare. The navy will also be going for this type.
LCH
There are also hundreds of armed helicopters.
Mi-17
Rudra
Hopefully the IA's inventory of Apache climbs to 80 at the minimum. That would give us 6 squadrons. Keeping my fingers crossed.
India Today Takes Flight In India's First Indigenous Built Light Combat Helicopter
logged on with the intent to post the same.
Key Takeaways, 7 additional frames already built and engine provisioned, all it needs is fitting out which will take 5-6 months so the first batch of 15 will be delivered before time, but offcourse IAF won't be prepared and they will sit on the tarmac for a couple of years before IAF get's it's house in order.
High time HAL starts looking for few export customers for this system.
