A Boeing AH-64E Apache of the Indian Air Force during the Aero India 2023 show in Bangalore. (Janes/Akhil Kadidal)
The first Boeing AH-64E fuselage for the Indian Army has rolled off the assembly line, with Boeing preparing to deliver the six attack helicopters early next year.
Alain Garcia, vice-president of business development in India, Boeing Defense, Space & Security and Global Services, told Janes that the first AH-64E fuselage for India had come off the assembly line at the company's Indian factory in Hyderabad on 19 January.
“The fuselage has been transported to Mesa in the United States for assembly and systems integration,” Garcia told Janes during the Aero India 2023 show being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February.
“All six completed helicopters will be delivered to the Indian Army in the first half of 2024,” Garcia said. Janes has learnt that the attack helicopters being delivered to the Indian Army are the latest Version 6 aircraft.
“We hope to deliver the aircraft rapidly within a few months,” Garcia said.
A senior source in the Indian Army confirmed the delivery schedule of the aircraft. “The aircraft will be delivered in two batches of three aircraft. Deliveries will be near-simultaneous. Our personnel are preparing to receive and work up the aircraft for deployment,” the source said.
Boeing said that the AH-64E will be equipped with customised systems, especially communications. The military source added that the range of systems customisation also includes weapons systems. “All of these systems are sourced internationally,” the source said.
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