US “green lights” deal to supply nearly $1 billion combat helicopters to India

Apache helicopter. Photo: Sputnik

According toSputnik, the US government has agreed to the sale of 6 AH-64E Apache helicopters, 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 weapons and equipment,” the statement said.

The Indian Ministry of Defense sent a letter of proposal to buy six Apache attack helicopters from the US in February this year under a 2015 agreement between the two countries. These six helicopters are expected to be deployed with 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 accompanying 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 and training missiles and simulated missiles to support the exercise.

The Apache is one of the most advanced attack helicopters available today. It can operate on any terrain, day or night, and in any weather conditions thanks to its flexible sensor system. The Apache has a maximum speed of 276 km/h, with a range of 476 km.