AH-64E Apache Helicopters: U.S. Delays Delivery to India, Raising Questions on Pakistan-Turkey Influence

New Delhi: The Indian Army was expecting the delivery of three AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, but their arrival has hit an unexpected delay. A cargo flight carrying the helicopters took off from the U.S. but returned after a brief stop in the U.K., leaving military planners puzzled. A Boeing spokesperson told The War Zone that the aviation company is reviewing logistic issues that affected the supply schedule. Historically, the U.S. has been hesitant in timely delivery of jet engines, weapons, and related technology to India, impacting the Indian Air Force and Army supply chains.

Flight and Halt in Europe
The massive An-124 cargo plane (serial UR-82008) took off on October 30 from its operational hub in Leipzig, Germany, headed for Mesa Gateway Airport, Arizona. The helicopters, painted in Indian Army desert camouflage, were loaded at a Boeing plant near Mesa. On November 1, the plane departed for East Midlands Airport in the U.K., but after an eight-day halt, it did not continue to India. Instead, it returned over the Atlantic to Mesa on November 8.

Rotors Removed Before Return
Upon its return, the Apache helicopters were unloaded, with their rotors—critical for lift and thrust—removed. The first three batches of Apache helicopters had previously reached Hindon Air Force Station via An-124 aircraft. Each rotor consists of a mast, hub, and airfoil-shaped blades that act like rotating wings, generating lift and propulsion for flight.

Turkey Blocks Air Corridor, Strategic Pressure Suspected
Reports from the Eurasian Times suggest that the delay at the U.K. airport was due to Turkey refusing airspace clearance for the An-124 carrying the AH-64Es. Strained India-Turkey relations, particularly regarding Kashmir and Pakistan’s influence, along with repeated U.S. visits by Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, are suspected to have contributed to the U.S. hesitation in timely delivery.

Deployment Plans in India
Once operational, the new Apaches will be moved to the Indian Army Aviation Training School in Nasik, Maharashtra, for pilot training, and subsequently deployed to the Nagtalao Army Aviation Base north of Jodhpur, in northwestern India. Currently, the Indian Air Force operates 22 Apaches, primarily stationed at Pathankot and Jorhat Air Bases.

Background on the 2020 Apache Deal
In 2020, India signed a deal with the U.S. for six Apache helicopters. The first batch faced significant delays, with deliveries only completing in July 2025, though originally scheduled for 2024. The second and final batch, expected in November 2025, has now returned to the U.S., further delaying operational readiness.

Delays in Jet Engine Supplies
The U.S. and France are leaders in jet engine technology, yet are slow in transferring technical know-how. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) recently signed an ₹8,870 crore deal with General Electric (GE) for 113 jet engines and support packages, intended for 97 Tejas Mark-1A Light Combat Aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled from 2027 to 2032, delaying HAL’s ability to hand over aircraft to the Indian Air Force. As of now, only four engines have been received from GE.

This latest delay in Apache helicopters highlights logistical, diplomatic, and strategic challenges in India’s defense acquisitions, underscoring the delicate balance of regional and global pressures.