Team News Riveting
Bhopal, May 29
An Indian Air Force (IAF) combat chopper Apache on Monday made a crash-landing in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind district.
However, no casualty has been reported on the part of crew and civilians. There was no damaged to the chopper also.
“An Apache AH-64 helicopter of the IAF carried out a precautionary landing near Bhind, during routine operational training. All crew and the aircraft are safe. The rectification party has reached the site,” the IAF said in a tweet.
The chopper landed near Sindh River in Jakhnauli village under Nayagaon police station in Bhind district. Soon after receiving the information, police party reached the spot and dispersed the crowd gathered near the chopper.
The senior officials of the Indian Air Force from Gwalior base have also reached the spot. An enquiry has been ordered to look into the cause of incident.
The IAF operates the older Russian Mi-25 and Mi-35 attack helicopters, of which one squadron has been phased out following the induction of 22 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
First AH-64E (I) – Apache Guardian helicopter was formally handed over to the Indian Air Force at Boeing production facility in Mesa, Arizona, USA on 10 May 19. Air Marshal AS Butola, represented the Indian Air Force and accepted the first Apache in a ceremony at Boeing production facility, representatives from US Government were also present.
IAF had signed a contract with US Government and M/s Boeing Ltd in Sep 2015 for 22 Apache helicopters. The first batch of these helicopters is scheduled to be shipped to India by Jul this year. Selected aircrew and ground crew have undergone training at the training facilities at US Army base Fort Rucker, Alabama. These personnel will lead the operationalisation of the Apache fleet in the IAF.
The addition of AH-64 E (I) helicopter is a significant step towards modernisation of Indian Air Force’s helicopter fleet. The helicopter has been customized to suit IAF’s future requirements and would have significant capability in mountainous terrain.
The helicopter has the capability to carry out precision attacks at standoff ranges and operate in hostile airspace with threats from ground. The ability of these helicopters, to transmit and receive the battlefield picture, to and from the weapon systems through data networking makes it a lethal acquisition. The attack helicopters had provide significant edge in any future joint operations in support of land forces.
