In a significant boost to India’s rotary-wing combat capabilities, the Indian Armed Forces have received two major upgrades almost simultaneously. The Indian Army has taken delivery of its first batch of three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, while the Indian Navy is set to commission its second squadron of MH-60R “Romeo” Seahawks.
This dual development strengthens India’s posture on both the western land border and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). After months of delays due to supply chain issues, the Indian Army has finally received three of the six AH-64E Apache helicopters ordered in 2020. These machines are distinct from the 22 Apaches already flown by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
They will be based at the 451 Aviation Squadron in Jodhpur, directly supporting the Desert Corps on the Pakistan frontier.Known as “tanks in the air,” these gunships are armed with Hellfire anti-tank missiles, Stinger air-to-air missiles, and a 30mm chain gun. Historically, the Army had to request air support from the IAF. With these Apaches, the Army now has its own dedicated “air cavalry” under its direct command to clear heavy armor and bunkers during a ground offensive.
Simultaneously, the Indian Navy has announced the commissioning of its second MH-60R Seahawk squadron, designated INAS 335 “Ospreys”. The ceremony is scheduled for December 17 at INS Hansa in Goa, with Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi presiding.
The Navy has been desperate for modern Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) choppers to replace its aging Sea Kings. The MH-60R is the world’s most advanced maritime helicopter, capable of hunting submarines with MK-54 torpedoes and hitting ships with Hellfire missiles. With the first squadron (INAS 334) in Kochi and now the “Ospreys” in Goa, the Navy can better cover the Arabian Sea, a critical hotspot for increasing Chinese submarine activity.
The Army has received only three Apaches so far, with a total order of just six. In a full-scale conflict across the entire western front, six helicopters are a “token” force rather than a fleet-wide game changer. Both programs have faced timeline slippages. The “Ospreys” are arriving at a time when the Indian Ocean is becoming increasingly militarized, and the Army’s Apaches are arriving years after the initial requirement was felt. Operating small numbers of highly complex US-made machines creates a logistical nightmare compared to operating large, standardized fleets.
These inductions are a high-tech “shot in the arm” for the services. The Army gets precision firepower for the desert, and the Navy gets sharper eyes under the sea. However, until these numbers grow, or until indigenous alternatives like the Prachand and IMRH arrive in bulk, these assets will likely remain specialized “silver bullets” rather than the backbone of the force.
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