The Apache combat helicopter's capability at electronic warfare, along with its modern firepower, is what is expected to provide anedge to Indian armed forces in a battlefield. As per defence experts, the Apache also scores over the Russian Mi-35 chopper, which it is set to replace,in its night vision capability and missile power.

Eight units of the multi-role Apache AH64E (I) choppers -where the 'I' stands for India-specific enhancements - were inducted to theIndian Air Force (IAF) at the Pathankot Air Base in Punjab earlier this week.

India had entered a purchase agreement with US-based defencemanufacturer Boeing in September 2015 whereby 22 units of the AH64E variant,which is the most modern version of the Apache, will be handed over to IAF in aphased manner by March 2020.As per IAF sources, another four choppers are setto arrive in India in September.

The AH64E variant comes equipped with a payload of fourair-to-air Stinger missiles, 16 air-to-ground Hellfire missiles, 76 Hydrarockets of 70 mm and a 30-mm chain gun with 1,200 rounds that can fire at therate of 625 rounds per minute. The missiles can be fired in 'fire-and-forget'mode.

According to retired Air Marshal Manmohan Bahadur, ahelicopter pilot himself, the Longbow radar of the Apache, which has a360-degree coverage, helps it score over the Mi-35 in electronic warfare.

"As compared to the Mi-35, the Apache has better nightvision capability and is equipped with better missiles. It can carry air-to-airmissiles too apart from air-to-ground missiles. The mast-mounted sight whichhas the Longbow radar is a millimetric wave radar. The radar scans thebattlefield electronically and can transfer pictures to other air-borne assets throughnetwork centricity," Bahadur told IANS.

Primarily, the role of the Apache in the armed forces inIndia will be to provide support to mechanised armoured formations in abattlefield by flying at treetop heights. The three-decades old ageing RussianMi-35 choppers are ageing.

Besides, the Mi-35 was not able to achieve the heightsnecessary for combat during the Kargil War. The choppers can vertically ascendat a maximum speed of 2,800 feet per minute. It can achieve a maximum cruisespeed of 279 kmph.

"The Apache will also not be able to achieve theheights that were required of the Mi-35 during the Kargil War. For battlesfought on such heights, we have the Light Combat Helicopter of Hindustan AeronauticsLimited," added Bahadur.

India is only the 16th nation in the world to acquire theApache stealth helicopter as per the Boeing. The AH64E choppers will be part ofthe No. 25 helicopter squadron of IAF, which is popularly known as the'Gladiators', at the Pathankot Air Base.

Since combat helicopters generally provide support toarmoured formations and anti-tank operations, there had been been a ragingdebate in the country in the recent past as to whether the Apache should beinducted into the Army.

"Most armies worldwide are using the Apache choppersfor anti-tank operations. These choppers are highly manoeuvrable and fly attreetop heights. If trained with the Army, understanding of land battle becomesmuch easier for the pilots," former GoC-in-C of Northern Command Lt. Gen.(Retired) Deependra Singh Hooda told

The Indian government signed another agreement with theBoeing in July 2018 for buying six Apache choppers for the Army at a cost of Rs4,168 crore.

According to defence sources, one batch of the AH64E choppermight also be based at the IAF's Suratgarh Air Force Station in Rajasthan sincethe helicopter gunship is well-equipped for combat in desert conditions.