Indian Army Wants Apache Helicopters From Air Force

The Indian Army will request for the transfer of the recently sanctioned Apache attack helicopters from the Air Force’s command. "We are sending a proposal to the Defence Ministry for capability enhancement in our aviation wing for absorbing the attack helicopters in our fleet," Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh was quoted as saying. General Singh refused to divulge more information but said that the attack choppers in different roles in the different parts of the country. According to reports, the proposal would include transfer of attack helicopters from the Air Force as also the soon-to-be-procured US-made Apache choppers. The Army is seeking to deploy the helicopters at the earliest along the China and Pakistan border. Recently, Defence Minister AK Antony approved the procurement of attack helicopters for the army despite Air Force opposition with Chief ACM NAK Browne saying the country cannot afford to have "small air forces". The case for 22 Apaches is being processed by the IAF which held field evaluation trials for them and now the Defence Ministry is in the final stages of procurement of these combat assets, according to the Press Trust of India.