India’s combat helicopter strength is set to improve in the coming days as the Indian Army prepares to receive the remaining three Apache AH-64 attack helicopters from the United States. At the same time, the Indian Navy will commission its second squadron of MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, which are used mainly for anti-submarine warfare.

The delivery of the Apache helicopters had been delayed for several months due to supply chain issues faced by Boeing. Defence officials said the three helicopters, often described as “tanks in the air” because of their heavy firepower, are expected to arrive in India within the next few days.

The Apache AH-64 helicopters are equipped with advanced weapons, including Stinger air-to-air missiles, Hellfire Longbow air-to-ground missiles, rockets and cannons. Their induction will help strengthen India’s attack helicopter fleet and address existing capability gaps in the Army.

India had signed an INR 5,691 crore deal with the United States in February 2020 to procure six Apache helicopters for the Army. While the first three were delivered earlier, the remaining helicopters were originally scheduled to arrive in July but were delayed due to global supply chain disruptions.

These six Army Apaches will operate alongside the 22 Apache helicopters already inducted into the Indian Air Force between 2019 and 2020 under a separate INR 13,952 crore contract signed in 2015. The Army’s Apache squadron is based in Jodhpur and is intended to support operations along the western border with Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy is strengthening its maritime combat capabilities with the commissioning of its second squadron of MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. These helicopters play a critical role in tracking submarines, conducting surveillance and supporting naval operations.

Looking ahead, defence experts say the biggest boost to India’s helicopter fleet will come from the induction of indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) ‘Prachand’. The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force are set to receive a total of 156 Prachand helicopters, 90 for the Army and 66 for the Air Force, between 2028 and 2033.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed an INR 62,700 crore contract in March this year for the production of these helicopters. The Prachand helicopters are designed for high-altitude operations and will be deployed in challenging regions such as eastern Ladakh and the Siachen Glacier. They are equipped with 20mm guns, rocket systems and air-to-air missiles for precision strikes and combat missions.

India’s armed forces are expected to require more than 1,000 helicopters of various types over the next 10 to 15 years to replace ageing Cheetah and Chetak fleets and to meet operational requirements. While delays have affected some indigenous programmes, the upcoming deliveries and future inductions are expected to significantly strengthen India’s rotary-wing combat capabilities.