US “greenlights” deal to supply combat helicopters worth nearly $1 billion to India

Apache helicopter. Photo: Sputnik

According toSputnik, the US government has agreed to the sale of 6 AH-64E Apache helicopters along with weapons systems and support equipment worth 930 million USD to the Indian army. The above deal has been sent to the US Congress for approval. It is noteworthy that before that, no US congressman had strongly opposed the sale of Apache helicopters to New Delhi.

In a written notification sent by the Pentagon to Congress, the agency stressed that adding six Apache helicopters and related equipment to India's arsenal will not change the military balance in the region.

“The support for the sale of Apache AH-64E helicopters will enhance India’s defense capabilities against armored ground targets and modernize its armed forces. India will have no difficulty in acquiring the weapons and equipment,” the statement said.

The Indian Ministry of Defense has sent a letter of proposal to buy 6 Apache attack helicopters from the US since February this year under the 2015 agreement between the two countries. It is expected that these 6 helicopters will be assigned to the Indian army stationed in the Himalayan region.

In addition to 6 helicopters, a series of modern equipment such as sensor systems, GPS positioning systems, radars, the contract also stipulates the transfer of weapons that come with these combat helicopters, including 30mm guns and ammunition, 180 AGM-114L-3 Hellfire Longbow "hellfire" missiles, 90 AGM-114R-3 Hellfire-II missiles, 200 Stinger Block I-92H missiles, rockets, training missiles and simulated missiles to support the exercise.

Apache is one of the most modern attack helicopters today. They can operate on any terrain, both day and night and in all weather conditions thanks to their flexible sensor system. Apache has a maximum flight speed of 276 km/h, with a range of 476 km.