After Jet Engines, US Delays Delivery Of Apache Attack Helicopters; Cites Supply Chain Issues

After delaying the delivery of General Electric (GE) F-404 engines that power Made-in-India Tejas fighter jets, the delivery of Boeing-made Apache attack helicopters meant for the Indian Army has also been delayed.

The army had even raised a squadron — 451 Army Aviation Squadron — at Nagtalao near Jodhpur on 15 March this year, in anticipation of the delivery of the Apaches.

However, Boeing has now informed the army that the helicopters will be delivered only next year, a year behind schedule, due to lingering supply chain issues.

India signed a deal to buy six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters in 2020 worth Rs 4,100 crore.

A Defence Ministry official explaining this said, “The first helicopter is unlikely to be delivered before next year, as Boeing has conveyed to us that it is facing supply chain problems. Earlier, there were some issues related to India’s rating being low on the US Defense Priorities and Allocations Systems Program (DPAS), but that was resolved in April-May 2024.”

Notably, nations with a high rating in DPAS are given priority in weapons supply.

Boeing's team is already in Nagtalao for the training of maintenance crews.

This comes after US engine-maker General Electric delayed the delivery of GE F-404 jet engines that power Tejas jets. This has pushed the delivery of the first production Tejas from March 2024 to November 2024.

AH-64E Apaches are armed with Hellfire anti-tank and Stinger anti-air guided missiles. These attack helicopters will provide precise air support to Indian Army formations deployed against Pakistan in the western sector.

The Indian Air Force already operates 22 Apaches bought in 2015 worth $3.1 billion, along with 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters.

These Apaches have been deployed in Ladakh as well as Arunachal Pradesh, providing extensive fire support to formations at the Line of Actual Control opposite the China border.