An AH-64E Apache attack helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made a precautionary landing in a field in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab near Pathankot on Friday morning. The crew and the helicopter are safe, the IAF said.
The Apaches are the latest induction into the IAF.
“The helicopter, after approximately 1hr of flying, had indications of a critical failure and carried out a safe landing west of Indora, Punjab. The captain of the aircraft took correct and prompt actions to recover the helicopter safely,” The IAF said in a statement.
All crew onboard the helicopter were safe and there had been no damage to any property. “The aircraft will be recovered after necessary rectification,” the IAF said.
India contracted 22 Apaches from Boeing under a ₹13,951.57-crore deal in September 2015. The first batch was formally inducted in September 2019 and based at the the Pathankot Air Force station. So far, 17 helicopters have been inducted and all 22 are scheduled to be delivered by end 2020.
The Apache is a heavy attack helicopter and the most advanced currently in service globally. These are replacing the ageing Russian Mi-35 attack helicopters in service.
During the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to India in February, India signed a deal for six more Apaches to cost around $800 mn for the Army in addition to the $2.2bn deal for 24 MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters for the Navy.
The Apaches, along with Chinook CH-47F(I) heavy lift helicopters, made a maiden flight on Rajpath at this year’s Republic Day parade.
On Thursday, an IAF Cheetah utility helicopter made a precautionary landing on the Outer Ring Road after developing a technical snag shortly after take-off from the Hindon air base.
