New Delhi:
In a major capability boost, the Indian Army on Friday established its first Apache attack helicopter squadron in the desert sector in Jodhpur, near the Pakistani front.
The squadron was formed in Jodhpur today in the presence of Director General Indian Army Aviation, Lieutenant General Ajay Suri and officials of the original manufacturer Boeing, along with other senior officials, Indian Army officials told ANI.
The Indian Army's Apache helicopters would camouflage the desert colors and the first batch of helicopters would arrive and join the fleet in May this year, they said.
There is a slight delay given the ongoing global security situation, but they are now on track, officials said.
Earlier, the Indian Army signed a contract to acquire six Apache helicopters from the US.
These advanced attack helicopters, also known as the 'tanks in the air', will land at the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Hindon Air Force Station and then be deployed to Jodhpur, near the India-Pakistan border, in May, the officials added to it.
The Army Aviation Corps, which currently uses utility helicopters like the Dhruv and Chetak, earlier introduced the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand in Missamari, Assam last year.
Notably, the IAF already has a fleet of 22 Apache helicopters deployed on the eastern and western fronts.
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