Apache, Chinook to debut on R-Day
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 13
US, Russian and indigenously produced aircraft and helicopters will be part of the fly-past during the Republic Day parade this year. US-made helicopters — Chinook CH-47 and Apache 64E — will make their debut in the annual event, conducted to showcase India’s military might.
Chinook is heavy-lift copter while Apache is for attack and both are made by US giant Boeing. India has inducted US copters for the first time in more than 60 years. Till now, the IAF had been using Soviet /Russian copters — Mi-26 for heavy-lift role and Mi-35/Mi-25 for attack.
Chinook CH-47 was inducted in Chandigarh in April last year. It enhances all-weather round-the-clock logistic capability, especially in mountains. With a payload capacity of 11 tonne or 45 troops, it provides a fillip to the IAF heavy-lift segment.
The Apache 64E attack copter was inducted in Pathankot in September last year.
It is the first attack helicopter from the US. By 2020, the IAF will operate 22 of them. It has significant capability in mountainous terrain up to an altitude of 21,000 ft besides capability to carry out precision attacks.
