The Indian Army (IA) is set to receive the last three AH-64E Apache helicopters on order from Boeing Aerospace, the Times of India reported.
Three of the six AH-64E helicopters ordered by the IA arrived at Hindon Air Base on July 22, 2025. It was then reported that the remaining three helicopters would be delivered by November 2025.
The Indian MoD ordered six AH-64E helicopters from Boeing under an $800 million deal signed in February 2020, during the visit of former US President Donald Trump to India.
At the time of contract signing, Boeing had committed to deliver all six helicopters by February 2024.
IAF AH-64E Procurement
The IAF earlier acquired 22 AH-64E helicopters from Boeing under a $3 billion contract, which also included the supply of 15 CH-47F Chinook helicopters.
The IAF reportedly received the last batch of the 22 AH-64E helicopters it ordered in July 2020.
IA Forgoes Additional AH-64E Procurement
In early 2014, the Army received “in-principle” approval for “ownership” of 39 Apache AH-64 gunships to equip its “strike” formations.
However, no additional orders have been placed beyond the six helicopters ordered. The Army now appears committed to expanding its fleet with indigenous options, such as the 5.8-ton, twin-engined Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).
The Prachand is powered by two Shakti engines and inherits many of the Advanced Light Helicopter’s technical features.
Features unique to the LCH include a sleek and narrow fuselage, tricycle crashworthy landing gear, crashworthy and self-sealing fuel tanks, armour protection, and nuclear and low-visibility features, which make the LCH lethal, agile, and survivable.
The Prachand outperforms the AH-64E in its ability to operate at altitudes above 5,000 m, which is a critical requirement for Himalayan deployments. The programme targets over 65% indigenous content and involves over 250 domestic companies.
Prachand LCH
Indigenously developed weapon systems can more effectively address threat perspective–driven qualitative requirements (QRs).
India’s requirement for a combat helicopter honed for high-altitude operations is unique. India’s disputed borders run through mountainous terrain. The Indian Army and Air Force need a combat helicopter that can operate at high altitudes and navigate tight mountainous airspaces, enabling pilots to find and engage targets with ease.
MoD’s Unprecedented Large-Volume Order
On March 28, 2025, the Indian MoD signed two contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of 156 Prachand helicopters, along with training and other associated equipment, worth ₹62,700 crore ($7.5B).
The first contract is for the supply of 66 LCHs to the Indian Air Force (IAF), and the second is for the supply of 90 LCHs to the Indian Army.
Deliveries will begin in the third year (2027–28) and continue over five years, with HAL producing about 30 helicopters annually from its Bengaluru and Tumkur facilities.
The new order will add to the 15 LSP variants of the helicopter (10 IAF and five Army) already inducted under a ₹3,887 crore contract inked in 2022. HAL completed delivery of the 15 LSP helicopters in early August 2023.
Prachand Capabilities
The Prachand is a low-observable (LO) design with reduced visual, aural, radar, and infrared (IR) signatures. It features canted panels for a lower radar cross-section and an IR suppressor for reduced IR signature.
The helicopter has a maximum speed of 275 kmph (148 kt), a combat radius of 500 km, and is capable of high-altitude warfare with an operational ceiling of 16,000 to 18,000 feet.
Prachand’s stub wings/armament booms have four weapon attachment stations, two on each side. Each station can carry ATGMs, rockets, or air-to-air missiles.
The helicopter has fixed armour plating on the sides and crashworthy landing gear for improved survivability.
Prachand Sensors
The Prachand is equipped with an electro-optical pod comprising a CCD camera, FLIR, laser rangefinder (LRF), and laser designator (LD), enabling the attack helicopter to detect and acquire targets day or night.
It is not known whether an AESA radar is proposed for development for the LCH. Weight constraints might rule out this option, in which case Prachand’s ability to carry long-range missiles may be severely constrained.
Prachand Communication Suite
Not much is known about Prachand’s communication suite in the public domain. A modern combat helicopter needs high-bandwidth communications, with support for direct connectivity with UAVs.
It is unlikely that Prachand currently has a high-bandwidth communication suite adapted to operate within a battlefield command-and-control system. If that is indeed the case, an improved communication suite would be a priority item on HAL’s Prachand to-do list.
Weapon Systems
The Prachand will be equipped with the indigenously developed Helina surface-to-air missile, which can engage targets at ranges between 500 m and 7 km.
Helina features a 640 × 512 px FPA (focal plane array) imaging infrared (IIR) seeker. As a result, the Helina seeker can image the target—not just detect it—giving the missile the ability to recognise the target and ignore other heat sources in its vicinity.
Helina always uses LOBL (lock-on before launch) tracking, making it a “fire-and-forget” missile. Once the ALH’s electro-optic (EO) system identifies the target, it automatically hands it over to the missile.
Reposing Confidence in HAL
A single-order volume of 156 attack helicopters is unprecedented. By comparison, the Russian MoD’s last order for the combat-proven Ka-52M was for 114 helicopters.
The MoD’s large order is likely aimed at addressing concerns that, in the past, HAL has not met weapon system delivery timelines because the MoD did not place orders in time or for adequate volumes.
Clearly, this time the MoD has reposed considerable faith in HAL’s ability to deliver.
The Prachand could well become an HAL success story, as it is derived from the Dhruv ALH, which entered operational service in 2002 and has accumulated approximately 450,000 flight hours.
The IA and MoD have placed a large order for the helicopter and given HAL more than two years to commence deliveries. It is almost certain that if HAL and DRDO deliver on the promise of the Prachand, there will be further orders for more advanced variants.
- Vijainder K Thakur is a retired IAF Jaguar pilot, author, software architect, entrepreneur, and military analyst.
- This is an Opinion Article. Views personal of the Author
- Follow the author @vkthakur
