New Delhi has concluded purchase agreements for 24 Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters for the navy and six Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters for the army.
The deals were announced during U.S. President Donald Trump’s first state visit to India.
Sikorsky is expected to conclude deliveries of all 24 MH-60Rs by 2023. AH-64E deliveries begin in 2023.
The deal for six AH-64Es is expected to cost approximately US$930 Million and will comprise a Direct Commercial Sale (DCS) between Boeing and the Indian Ministry of Defence as well as a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) between the Indian and U.S. Governments.
The FMS covers munitions, training, aircraft certification, and components including engines, radar and Electro Optical sensors. The DCS covers the aircraft (less engines/sensors), logistic support, spares and services.
“The AH-64E Apache helicopters for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army will have identical capabilities,” says Boeing. The air force has taken delivery of 10 CH-47(I) Chinooks and 17 AH-64E Apaches against orders for 15 and 22 respectively. The remaining five Apaches will be delivered by end March.
The army will now setup its first dedicated attack helicopter squadron with the new Apaches on order. As with the air force, aircrew and ground crew training is expected to take place at US Army training facilities at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Boeing has also concluded deliveries of 11 C-17s to the air force and eight P-8Is for the Navy. Four additional P-8Is were contracted in July 2016, with deliveries to start in mid-2020.
The MH-60Rs will be acquired via the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) route at an estimated cost of US$2.6 Billion.
