Recently, in a more than USD 198.2 million deal, the US State Department approved the possible sale of support services and relatedequipment for Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to India. The State Department said that the sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defence, and deter regional threats.In April, the chief of army staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, took a sortie in India’s indigenously built attack Helicopter, the Light CombatHelicopter (LCH), ‘Prachand’, assessing its performance, agility and mission readiness. This raises a question: if India has its own attack helicopter, then why does it continue to rely on Russian and American counterparts? And how does this Apache compare to the LCH?
Numbers and capability
According to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Prachand has a 2-pilot crew, a maximum take-off weight of 5,800 Kg, a maximum speed of 280km/h, a cruise speed of 260 km/h, a payload-dependent operational range between 550 and 700 km, a climb rate of 12 meters per second, and the world’s highest operational ceiling of 6,500 meters.On the other hand, as per Boeing, the twin-seater US-made Boeing AH-64E Apache has a maximum take-off weight of 10,432 kg, a maximumspeed of 300 km/h, a cruise speed of 265 km/h, a combat range of 480-500 km, a service ceiling of 6,400 meters, and a climb rate of approximately 14.2 meters per second.Compared to Apache, Prachand has an almost similar cruise speed, a greater operational ceiling (highest), and a bigger operational range.Apache excels in terms of double the maximum take-off weight, top speed, and a faster climb rate. However, the specifications in attack helicopters are with respect to their operational requirements.
Different operational Requirements
According to HAL, Prachand has the distinction of being the first attack helicopter to land in Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield. Itwas specially designed after a requirement was felt during the Kargil war, for a light combat helicopter that could operate in the tall and harsh Himalayan terrains of Siachen, Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. It weighs just 5.8 tonnes, which is nearly half the weight of an Apache.
Light Combat Helicopter, Prachand
The American counterpart is meant for the flat plains, deserts, and semi-desert areas along India’s western and northwestern borders(such as Rajasthan and Punjab). Which explains its nearly double maximum take-off weight compared to the LCH. India requires the capabilities of both helicopters for its overall operational requirements.
AH-64E, Apache
Replacing the Ageing fleet
The entire air force is undergoing the process of modernisation, with ageing fleets being actively replaced. During the inductionceremony of Apache helicopters in 2019, the then Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said, “Apache attack helicopters are being purchased to replace the Mi-35 fleet. Apaches have been an integral part of numerous historic campaigns worldwide. These aircraft have been modified specifically to suit the exacting standards demanded by the IAF”.Highlighting India’s military capabilities, the US state department said, “India will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”Regarding the deal, the US State Department said: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectivesof the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner, whichcontinues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions”.Earlier on April 9, the Indian Army had demonstrated the combat strength of AH-64 Apache during a live firing exercise ‘Brahmastra’ atthe Pokhran Firing Range. The demonstration by the army underlined its growing focus on high-precision, network-centric warfare.The Boeing AH-64 Apache is among the most advanced multi-role combat helicopters in the world. It is equipped with a 30 mm chaingun, can carry Hellfire anti-tank missiles and Hydra rockets, and features advanced targeting systems such as the Longbow radar and night-vision sensors. Apache AH-64E also has the ability to operate in all-weather conditions, including at night, just like Prachand.