India takes delivery of first AH-64E Apache attack helicopter.

The first Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter was officially handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) during a ceremony at Boeing’s production center in Mesa, Arizona on May 10.

The first batch of the helicopters is scheduled to be shipped to India by July this year (Picture source: Indian Air Force)

On May 28, 2015, the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) authorized the acquisition of 22 Boeing AH-64 E "Apache" helicopters and 15 Boeing CH-47F "Chinook" helicopters for 2.5 billion US dollars.

The sale of 22 AH-64D Apache combat helicopters also includes a wide array of weapons such as: 812 AGM-114L-3 Hellfire Longbow missiles, 542 AGM-114R-3 Hellfire-II missiles, 245 Stinger Block I-92H missiles . 30mm ammunition to supply the guns. A further 12 AN / APG-78 target definition radars, 12 radar-based AN / APR-48A interferometers. India is also planning to build a large spare engine stock with 50 General-El T700-GE-701D turbines.