Pathankot(Punjab): In a major boost to the Indian Air Force (IAF), eight Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack Helicopters were inducted into service at Pathankot Air Force Station on Tuesday.
Against the order of 22 helicopters, the eight helicopters were brought to India in two separate batches. They were delivered at the Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad over July and August in two equal batches of four choppers each.
At the induction ceremony, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa was the chief guest.
Boeing formally handed over the aircraft keys to Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa at the function in Pathankot.
“The IAF has been flying helicopters since 1954. Since then there has been no looking back. We have proved our mettle in various missions. We have operated various types of helicopters in the past,” said Dhanoa while speaking on this occasion.
“Apache helicopter is an advanced multi-mission helicopter being operated worldwide by the US, UK, Israel and many numbers of countries. The helicopter has proved itself as an operational success across the world. It is one of the most fierce attack helicopters in the world,” added the IAF chief.
It may be mentioned here that AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack helicopter is the world’s most lethal attack helicopter.
Earlier, the first batch of the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack Helicopters arrived in India on July 27, 2019, at the IAF Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad. After a series of user trials, the Apache helicopters were sent to the Pathankot Air Base for a final induction into service.