By A Correspondent

New Delhi: India’s military helicopter strength is set for a sharp near-term boost as the Army prepares to receive its remaining three Apache AH-64 attack helicopters from the United States within days, while the Navy commissions its second squadron of MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine warfare helicopters this week.

The twin developments come at a time when India is racing to close critical combat gaps on land and at sea amid growing security challenges from Pakistan and China.

The three Apache helicopters, often described as “flying tanks,” will complete the Army’s order of six heavy attack gunships under an INR 5,691 crore deal signed with the US in February 2020.

Delivery of the helicopters was significantly delayed due to global supply chain disruptions faced by American space and defence major Boeing, but defence officials say the final aircraft are now set to touch down shortly.

Armed with Hellfire Longbow missiles, Stinger air-to-air missiles, rockets, and a 30mm chain gun, the Apaches will be based at Jodhpur, where the Army raised a dedicated squadron last year to bolster operations along the western front with Pakistan.

The Army Apaches will operate alongside the Indian Air Force’s fleet of 22 AH-64 helicopters inducted in 2019–2020 under a separate INR 13,952 crore contract signed in 2015, giving India one of the most potent attack helicopter capabilities in the region.

On the maritime front, Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi will commission the second MH-60R Seahawk squadron at INS Hansa in Goa on December 17, 2025, the Indian Navy said in a statement on December 14, 2025.

The first Seahawk squadron was raised at INS Garuda in Kochi in March 2024. Of the 24 helicopters ordered under an INR 15,157 crore contract with the US in February 2020, 15 have already been delivered.

Built by Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin, the Seahawks are equipped with Hellfire missiles, MK-54 torpedoes, precision-kill rockets, and advanced sensors for hunting submarines.

Despite their high price tag, the Seahawks are seen as mission-critical as the 140-warship Indian Navy struggles with a dwindling fleet of ageing Sea King and Kamov-28 helicopters.

The urgency has increased with the expanding presence of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean Region. Reflecting this, the defence ministry last month signed an additional INR 7,955 crore contract with the US for follow-on support and spares.

While these American helicopters address immediate needs, the real transformation is expected to come with the induction of indigenous platforms.

The armed forces estimate a requirement of more than 1,000 new helicopters over the next 10–15 years to replace obsolete fleets and overcome capability shortfalls, including 484 light utility helicopters and 419 Indian multi-role helicopters.

Both programmes, however, have suffered delays at state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The long-term backbone of India’s combat helicopter fleet will be the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’.

Under a massive INR 62,700 crore contract signed in March, HAL will deliver 156 Prachand helicopters between 2028 and 2033. Of these, 90 will go to the Army and 66 to the IAF.

Designed for high-altitude warfare, the 5.8-tonne Prachand is armed with a 20mm turret gun, 70mm rocket systems, and air-to-air missiles, and is optimised for operations in eastern Ladakh and the Siachen Glacier.

These will add to the 15 Prachands already inducted, signalling a decisive shift towards self-reliance in India’s combat aviation future.

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