SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Army’s modernization efforts are facing a dual challenge as it awaits the delivery of its first batch of six Apache AH-64E attack helicopters from Boeing, while the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) program, a 13-ton medium-class helicopter under development by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), remains stalled pending clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
Adding to the complexity, sources cited by idrw.org reveal that HAL has no plans to develop an IMRH-based heavy attack helicopter in the Apache class, citing limited demand from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Army. Instead, both services are focusing on the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, with orders for 156 units recently approved, highlighting a strategic preference for lighter, high-altitude-capable attack helicopters over heavier variants.
The Indian Army’s order for six Apache AH-64E attack helicopters, part of a 2020 deal with Boeing, has been mired in delays, with the first deliveries initially expected by late 2024 but now pushed to early 2025. Boeing has attributed the setbacks to supply chain issues, a recurring challenge for the U.S. manufacturer amid global disruptions. The Apaches, often dubbed “tank killers,” are slated for deployment in desert regions, with the 451 Army Aviation Squadron at Nagtalao near Jodhpur fully prepared to receive them. The delay, however, has left the Army reliant on its existing fleet, including 75 HAL Rudra helicopters (the armed variant of the Dhruv), for attack roles, particularly in lower-altitude theatres where the Apaches are best suited.
The IAF, which has already inducted its batch of 22 Apaches at bases like Pathankot and Jorhat, has prioritized their deployment in desert conditions, acknowledging their limitations in high-altitude operations. This operational focus underscores a broader strategic divide: while the Apaches bring advanced firepower with their 1,890-horsepower General Electric T700 engines and a payload capacity for Hellfire missiles and Hydra rockets, their performance ceiling of 6,400 meters falls short of the Army’s needs in high-altitude regions like Ladakh and the Siachen Glacier.
Meanwhile, the IMRH program, designed to replace the aging fleet of over 350 Mil Mi-17 helicopters across the Indian Armed Forces, is still awaiting CCS clearance as of April 1, 2025. The IMRH, a 13-ton medium-lift helicopter, is envisioned as a multi-role platform capable of air assault, troop transport, combat search and rescue, and anti-submarine warfare, among other roles. With a projected requirement of 314 units (200 for the IAF, 100 for the Army, and 14 for the Navy), the IMRH is a cornerstone of India’s push for self-reliance in rotary-wing capabilities. The program, estimated to cost ?10,000 crore for development, also includes a naval variant, the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH), tailored for shipborne operations.
HAL has made significant progress, completing the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR), and has partnered with France’s Safran Helicopter Engines to develop the Aravalli engine, a high-power turboshaft designed for the IMRH and DBMRH. The new Helicopter Factory at Tumakuru, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2023, is poised to produce up to 90 helicopters annually, including the IMRH, once the program receives the green light. However, the lack of CCS approval continues to delay the project’s timeline, with the first flight now expected around 2027–28, pushing full induction into the early 2030s.
Despite the IMRH’s versatility, HAL has decided against developing a heavy attack variant in the Apache class, a decision driven by limited demand from the IAF and Army. The Apache, with its 9.5-ton maximum takeoff weight and ability to carry heavy weapons like Hellfire missiles and a 30mm chain gun, is a benchmark for heavy attack helicopters. However, HAL sources indicate that the operational utility of such a platform in India’s diverse theatres—ranging from deserts to the Himalayas—is limited. The IMRH, while capable of carrying a 4-ton payload at sea level (1.5 tons at 13,000 feet), is primarily designed for transport and utility roles, with its 75% indigenous content focused on multi-role flexibility rather than dedicated attack capabilities.
The IAF and Army’s preference for lighter attack helicopters is evident in their recent commitment to the LCH Prachand. On March 28, 2025, the CCS approved a ?62,700 crore deal for 156 LCH Prachand helicopters—90 for the Army and 66 for the IAF—with deliveries set to begin in 2028. The Prachand, derived from the ALH Dhruv platform, was specifically designed to address the lessons of the 1999 Kargil War, where the lack of a high-altitude-capable attack helicopter was starkly felt. With a maximum takeoff weight of 5.8 tons, a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and a range of 700 kilometers, the Prachand excels in high-altitude operations, as demonstrated by its test landings on the Siachen Glacier at altitudes up to 15,800 feet. Armed with a 20mm Nexter cannon, 70mm rockets, and Helina anti-tank guided missiles, the Prachand offers a lighter, more agile alternative to the Apache, tailored for India’s unique operational needs.
However, the absence of a heavy attack helicopter in India’s indigenous portfolio raises questions about long-term capability gaps. The Apache’s ability to penetrate deep into enemy territory with heavier payloads and advanced protection systems offers a tactical advantage in conventional warfare scenarios, particularly against armored formations in desert or plains regions. While the Prachand excels in mountainous terrains, its lighter frame and payload capacity limit its effectiveness in such theatres, where the Apaches are expected to dominate once delivered.
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