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India Signs $3 Billion in Orders for Apaches, Chinooks

by Bill Carey

 - September 29, 2015, 11:52 AM

India has ordered the latest-model AH-64E Apache and CH-47F Chinook helicopters from Boeing. (Image: U.S. Army/Lockheed Martin)

Boeing announced that India’s defense ministry has ordered 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. The package, worth $3.1 billion according to Indian and other media reports, includes both direct commercial and foreign military sales.

The ministry signed contracts with Boeing for the Chinooks and with Boeing and the U.S. government for the Apaches on September 28, just before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Barack Obama met at the United Nations in New York, The Hindu reported. Plans call for Boeing to begin deliveries in 2018, other media reported. The latest-model Apaches and Chinooks will replace Russian-manufactured Mi-35 Hind and Mi-26 helicopters, respectively.

In December 2010, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified the U.S. Congress of a possible foreign military sale of 50 General Electric T700-GE-701D engines, Hellfire and Stinger missiles, other equipment, training and logistical support for 22 Apaches, with the helicopters themselves offered by Boeing as a direct commercial sale. “This notification is being made in advance so that, in the event that the Boeing- U.S.Army proposal is selected, the United States might move as quickly as possible to implement the sale,” the DSCAstated. India approved industrial offset proposals to acquire the helicopters in August 2014.

“This is a milestone in Boeing’s expanding commitment to India,” said Pratyush Kumar, Boeing India president. “This acquisition enhances the Indian Air Force’s capabilities and offers us an opportunity to further accelerate ‘Make in India.’ Large sections of the Chinook fuselage are already manufactured in India and discussions are ongoing with our Indian partners to make Apache parts.”

India is the 14th nation to select the Apache and the 19th nation to select the Chinook, according to Boeing.