Indian Army to Get Six Additional Boeing Apache Helicopters for $650M

Indian Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved purchase of six additional AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing for $650 million.

“DAC approved procurement of six Apache helicopters along with associated equipment for the army totally about $650mn,” AFP reported quoting a text message from an unnamed official Friday.

The deal was approved exclusively for the army, two defense ministry sources were quoted as saying by the agency without any more details including a date for delivery.

The initial batch of 22 Apaches — equipped with Hellfire and Stinger missiles — replaced the Indian Air Force's ageing fleet. Soon after the first Apache acquisition, the army put in a separate request for a fleet of at least 39, one of the officials said.

It will be the first time the Indian army has received attack helicopters and it hopes to deploy the craft along India's high-altitude frontiers — particularly its border in the east with regional rival China.