Donald Trump’s Apache Helicopter Claim Exposed: Overstates India Deal Before the World

New Delhi: U.S. President Donald Trump recently made a statement regarding Apache helicopters, claiming that India had ordered 68 helicopters from the United States. However, official records show that India has only procured 28 Apache attack helicopters, raising questions about the accuracy of Trump’s statement.

The Truth Behind the Apache Claim

During a public address, Trump mentioned India-U.S. defense ties and said that India had been waiting five years for the delivery of Apache helicopters. “India has ordered 68 Apache helicopters. We are changing that,” Trump said. However, government contracts, delivery records, and military sources confirm that India has purchased only 28 Apache helicopters, all of which have already been delivered by December 2025.

This discrepancy reflects a recurring pattern in Trump’s statements, where he tends to exaggerate numbers to showcase U.S. influence or his personal involvement.

Details of the Apache Deals with India

• September 2015: India signed a deal with the U.S. for 22 Apache helicopters for the Indian Air Force, valued at ₹13,952 crore. These helicopters were delivered between 2019-2020 and deployed across two frontline squadrons.
• February 2020: India ordered an additional 6 Apache helicopters for the Army at a cost of ₹5,691 crore. Delays in delivery became a topic of political discussion between India and the U.S., with Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising the matter during his White House visit in February 2025.

In total, India’s orders amount to 28 helicopters, far fewer than the 68 helicopters claimed by Trump.

Questioning Trump’s Credibility

Experts and officials say overstating the number of helicopters undermines the credibility of Trump’s statements. While the President highlighted his personal rapport with Prime Minister Modi and India-U.S. relations, the factual inaccuracy in defense numbers has attracted international attention and raised questions about the reliability of his claims.

Past Pattern of Exaggeration

This is not the first instance where Trump has been accused of exaggeration. Previously, he has made claims regarding India-Pakistan tariff threats and other defense operations, many of which have been refuted by Indian authorities.