New Delhi, May 11: The United States’ aerospace major Boeing on Friday handed the first AH-64E (I) - Apache Guardian helicopter to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Mesa of USA’s Arizona. Air Marshal AS Butola, accepted the first Apache in a ceremony at Boeing production facility. Representatives from the US Government were also present. Boeing's CH-47F Chinook Helicopter Handed Over to IAF at Transfer Ceremony Held in Philadelphia.

The IAF had signed a contract with US Government and M/s Boeing Ltd in Sep 2015 for 22 Apache helicopters. The first batch of these helicopters is scheduled to be shipped to India by July this year. Selected aircrew and ground crew have undergone training at the training facilities at US Army base Fort Rucker, Alabama. These personnel will lead the operationalisation of the Apache fleet in the IAF. Chinook Helicopters Join Indian Air Force Fleet; Here's All You Need To Know About The CH-47F Heavy-Lift Chopper.

Video of Apache Helicopter:

“The addition of AH-64 E (I) helicopter is a significant step towards modernisation of IAF’s helicopter fleet. The helicopter has been customized to suit IAF’s future requirements and would have significant capability in mountainous terrain,” said IAF in a statement.

Apache Chopper handed over to IAF in a ceremony in Arizona:

The helicopter has the capability to carry out precision attacks at standoff ranges and operate in hostile airspace with threats from the ground. The ability of these helicopters, to transmit and receive the battlefield picture, to and from the weapon systems through data networking makes it a lethal acquisition. These attack helicopters will provide a significant edge in any future joint operations in support of land forces.

Meanwhile, in February this year, the first batch of Boeing’s four CH-47F Chinook helicopters for the IAF at the Mundra airport in Gujarat. These helicopters have a permanent base in Chandigarh.

India signed a $ 3 billion deal to buy 22 Apache and 15 Chinook helicopters in September 2015 with Boeing and the government of the United States. The Indian government signed a direct contract with the Boeing to procure Chinook helicopters, while the deal to buy Apache helicopters is a mixed one. A part of the deal was signed with the US aviation company, and the other half is signed with the US government under the foreign military sales route. According to reports, Apaches will be stationed at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 11, 2019 01:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).