After interviews between the US and India, the long -awaited Apache combat helicopters are expected to be delivered in the next two weeks. File | Photo Credit: PTI
After an interview of India-USA defense ministers, the long-awaited Apache combat helicopters should be delivered in the next two weeks.
The supreme source of the Minister of Defense confirmed that they were told that the first dose of three offensive helicopters Apache AH-64E from the United States would be delivered by July 15 and another dose of three helicopters will be delivered by November this year.
Development comes after the Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (1 July 2025) organized a telephone interview with US Defense Minister Pete HegSeth. Both leaders reviewed the ongoing and upcoming initiative to strengthen defense cooperation between India and the United States.
On Tuesday (1 July 2025), Mr. Singh thanked Mr. Hegseth for supporting the US during the Sindoor operation and told him that India had reserved the right to prevent and discourage cross -border terrorist attacks and defend himself.
The Minister of Defense sought timely to deliver American general electric engines for Tejas Light Combat-MK1A, which were produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. He also spoke about the establishment of a production unit for Jet Engines in India. Mr. HegSeth said he would ensure early delivery of current engines and added that the production unit would be set up in a time frame.
Meanwhile, the defense source refused to reveal any specific time frame related to the delivery of GE Jet Engines for LCA Tejas.
The supply of six Apache Apache helicopters to the Indian army under an agreement of $ 600 million signed with the United States in 2020 missed several terms. Originally scheduled for May – June 2024, the delivery timeline was pushed for December 2024, referring to disruption of the supplier chain.
Last year, the Indian Army Air Force raised its first squadron in Jodhpur, which will operate Apache helicopters, but waited for helicopters for more than 15 months. The induction of the Apache helicopter is part of the Aviation Corp. The deployment of helicopters along the western border will further strengthen the combat skills of the army.
The US Department of Defense 2. Minister HegSeth emphasized the priority that the United States placed on India as its key defense partner in South Asia.
Furthermore, the declaration of the secretary Hegseth and Minister Singh have reviewed considerable progress that both countries have achieved the objectives of the defense set in February 2025 by President Trump’s joint statement and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They both discussed that they were waiting for the main US defense in India and the imperative of industrial cooperation between the two countries.
“Minister HegSeth and Minister Singh agreed to sign the next ten-year defense framework of the US-India when they meet next year,” the statement said.
Published – 3 July 2025 08:54 IS
