New Delhi: In a boost to Indian Air Force’s firepower, the first Apache Guardian attack helicopter was formally handed over to it at the Boeing production facility in Mesa, Arizona, the US on Friday. Apache attack helicopter carry radar-guided Hellfire anti-tank missiles to destroy high value targets, air to air Stinger missiles and guns.
The IAF had signed a contract with US government and Boeing in September 2015 for 22 Apache copters.
The first batch is scheduled to be shipped to India by July. They will be based at the Pathankot and Jorhat airbases.
Air Marshal A.S. Butola, accepted the Apache in a ceremony at the Boeing production facility.
The selected air crew and ground crew have undergone training at the training facilities at US Army base Fort Rucker, Alabama. .
The helicopter has been customised to suit IAF’s requirements and would have significant capability in the mountains.
