MoD approves Chinook & Apache purchase

CH-47F Chinook

AH-64D Apache Block III

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the purchase of 22 Boeing AH-64D Apache Block III and 15 CH-47F Chinook helicopters for the Indian Air Force after the meet, chaired by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, provided offsets clearance to the Apache deal. The two deals will be sent to the Cabinet Committee on Security before contract signature with Boeing and the U.S. government. The Apache deal is to be split contract between Boeing for the helicopters and the U.S. Air Force for the Longbow radar and fire control system that will arm 12 of the 22 helicopters being purchased. The Chinook deal will be a contract with Boeing. The U.S. is understood to be pushing for the deal ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington D.C. and New York City in September. While it is not clear when precisely the deals will be signed, the approval comes as huge relief for the IAF and for Boeing. The twin chopper deals come as windfall for the aerospace major after the P-8I for the Indian Navy and C-17 Globemaster III for the Indian Air Force.