New Delhi: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, the Cabinet Committee on Security on Tuesday cleared two defence deals with Boeing worth around $2.5 billion for 22 Apache attack helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters.
The Apache deal is worth around $1.4 billion, while the Chinook one is for $1.1 billion. “The deals for Apache and Chinook (helicopters) has been cleared,” sources said.
The CCS, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by senior ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and Manohar Parrikar, met after the Cabinet meeting.
The deal for the Apaches, that will go this time to the Air Force, is “a hybrid one”, with one contract signed with Boeing for the helicopter and another with the US government for its weapons, radars and electronic warfare suites. The contract will reportedly have clauses to place follow-on orders for 11 more Apaches and seven extra Chinooks, if need be.
The US has been pushing this contract as it will bolster America’s presence in India’s burgeoning defence market. Defence sources explained the deals will have an offset obligation of 30 per cent.
According to reports, both platforms, which have been in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, had beaten competition from Russia, which offered its Mi-28N Night Hunter and Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopters.
The 22 Apache AH 64D Block-III Longbow is among the most advanced multi-role combat helicopters, with all-weather and night fighting features, ability to track upto 128 targets in less than a minute and engage with 16, besides stealth characteristics, advanced sensors and beyond visual range missiles. India will also be acquiring Hellfire missiles and rockets.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi starting a visit to the US from Thursday, the government cleared the deal, which will strengthen defence ties between the two nations. The Apache attack helicopters are expected to go to the IAF, and all subsequent acquisitions for attack helicopters are likely to be for the Army. The Army has been pressing for urgent acquisition of attack helicopters.
The US earlier inked deals with India for sale of Boeing P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare (LRMRASW) aircraft for the Navy, C-130 J Hercules transport aircraft from Lockheed Martin for the IAF, and C-17 Globemaster transport planes from Boeing for the IAF. The Army is also hopeful of acquiring M-777 ultra-light howitzers from the US.
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15 Chinook heavy lift copters
Functions
- Troop movement
- Artillery placement
- Battlefield resupply
22 Apache attack helicopters
Functions
- All-weather and night fighting features
- Can track upto 128 targets in less than a minute
- Can engage 16 advanced sensors
Cost: $2.5 billion
