Apache to give army more teeth

After the C-17 Globemaster III and the C-130J Hercules, it will be the turn of another US manufactured aircraft to prowl the Indian skies and perform air defence duties.

Boeing AH-64D Apache Block III is all set to bag the contract for the Indian Army’s procurement of 22 attack helicopters as the other Russian bidder Mi-28N ‘Night Hunter’ has failed to meet the requirements of the armed forces.

According to Russian news agency Novosti the Mi-28N ‘Night Hunter’ failed to meet the technical requirements and was found short on the sensors and combat systems integration leaving the AH-64D Apache Block III the only competitor.

India has issued a Request for Proposal for procuring 2.5 tonne twin engine helicopter with all weather and terrain capability in May 2008.

The AH-64D Apache Block III, Mi-28N ‘Night Hunter’ along Augusta Westland AW-129 Mangustu and Eurocopter Tiger were the other contenders for the 22 attack helicopters which is to replace the existing fleet of the army’s ageing attack helicopters.

However, Eurocopter Tiger and Augusta-129 Mangustu pulled out of the race for the tender some time back. Experts pointed out the selection of the US the manufactured chopper over the Russian Mi-28N ‘Night Hunter’ come as no surprise considering the recent acquisitions from the US.

For Russia, losing out on the deal will mean a big setback as it was hard selling the Mi-28 N along with other helicopters and short-range air defence at Aero India 2011.

“The AH-64D Apache Block III will complement the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) once it is inducted into the armed forces. They will play an important role in strengthening the air defences by carrying out attacks against slow moving aerial targets, destruction of enemy air defence operations, support of combat search and rescue operations, anti-tank suites and scout duties,” Army sources said.