Thursday, January 30, 2020

Deadly AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to be made in India

An order for six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for the Indian Army which is expected to be placed this year will be made in India. The $ 930 million will be through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and is in addition to the existing order of 22 machines for the Indian Air Force (IAF). While the approval of the Cabinet Committee for Security is awaited, according to one of the US aerospace ’s giant Boeing Company has already planned to make the critical parts of the attack helicopter here in India. Talking to Financial Express Online, Michael M Koch, Vice President, India, Defense, Space & Security, “Fuselage and most of the additional structures of the helicopter will all be made here locally.”
A joint venture with between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) — Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) established in 2016 has been manufacturing fuselages for the AH-64 Apache.

With 90 per cent parts sourced from Indian suppliers, this advanced facility is expected to become the sole producer of AH-64 fuselages globally.

Indian company Rossell Techsys which has been a long-standing supplier of Boeing since 2013 has been playing a critical role in supplying high-quality electrical panel for the AH-64 Apache. And has also been making wire harness for the helicopter.
"From the existing 160 industrial partners the number has gone up to 200 and still growing,” according to Koch.

By the year-end, as per the contract IAF is expected to induct all the 22 Apache Helicopters which are replacing the Russian MI25/35 gunships, which are gradually being phased out.

Last year in June, the US State Department had given its approval for an additional sale of the attack helicopters for the Indian Army and the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified the US Congress about the value of the deal — $ 930 million.
29/01/20 Huma Siddiqui/Financial Express
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