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- Union Defence Minister and Punjab Chief Minister will jointly induct four US-made Apache AH-64E (I) helicopters into the Indian Air Force at Pathankot on 3rd September.
- The AH-64E Apache is one of the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopters, and is flown by the US Army.
- The IAF had signed a multi-billion dollar contract with the US government and Boeing Ltd in September 2015 for 22 Apache helicopters.
- Further, the Defence Ministry in 2017 approved the procurement of six Apache helicopters along with weapons systems from Boeing. This will be its first fleet of attack choppers.
- The IAF currently operates Soviet-origin Mi-25 and Mi-35 helicopter gunships.
- The Apache choppers will be the second US-built helicopters to join the air force fleet. IAF inducted Boeing CH-47F (I) Chinook heavy-lift helicopters in March 2019
