You dont have javascript enabled! Please enable it! IAF Showcases Lethal Precision: AH-64E Apache Fires ATAS Stinger Missile in Groundbreaking Video - Indian Defence Research Wing
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SOURCE: AFI

In a landmark demonstration of its advanced combat capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has released a video showcasing the Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopter test-firing the Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS) missile, marking the first public display of this capability.

This milestone, highlighted in posts on X on May 20, 2025, underscores the Apache’s versatility in engaging not only ground targets but also aerial threats, including hostile helicopters, gunships, Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). The integration of the ATAS Stinger enhances the IAF’s air defence arsenal, positioning the Apache as a multi-role platform capable of dominating both air and ground domains along India’s volatile borders.

The AH-64E Apache, inducted into the IAF’s 125 Helicopter Squadron “Gladiators” at Pathankot Air Base in September 2019, is widely regarded as the world’s most advanced attack helicopter. With a fleet of 22 Apaches, supplemented by an additional six ordered for the Indian Army in 2020, the IAF has significantly bolstered its combat capabilities. The Apache is equipped with a suite of advanced weapons, including AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Hydra 70 rockets, and a 30mm M230 chain gun, making it a formidable platform for anti-armor, close air support, and reconnaissance missions.

The inclusion of the ATAS Stinger missile, a “fire-and-forget” infrared-homing missile, extends the Apache’s role to air-to-air combat. The Stinger, originally a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS), has been adapted for air-launched use on the Apache’s stub-wing pylons, enabling it to engage low-flying aerial targets with high precision. With a range of approximately 8 km and a passive infrared seeker, the Stinger can lock onto the heat signatures of helicopters, gunships, and UAVs without emitting detectable radiation, ensuring stealthy engagements. Its integrated Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) subsystem minimizes the risk of friendly fire, while threat-adaptive guidance enhances accuracy by targeting vulnerable areas of enemy aircraft.

The IAF’s video, released on May 20, 2025, marks the first time the public has witnessed the Apache’s air-to-air capabilities in action, showcasing a successful test-firing of the ATAS Stinger. This demonstration highlights the IAF’s readiness to counter emerging aerial threats, particularly along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Pakistan’s growing use of drones, including Turkish-made T-129 ATAK helicopters and Chinese-supplied UAVs, and China’s deployment of Z-10 attack helicopters, necessitate a robust air-to-air capability for India’s attack helicopters. The Apache’s ability to engage these threats enhances the IAF’s deterrence posture and provides a critical edge in contested airspace.

The Stinger’s integration, specifically requested by the IAF during the 2015 procurement of 22 Apaches, reflects India’s strategic foresight in adapting the helicopter for multi-role operations. Unlike traditional attack helicopters focused on ground targets, the Apache’s air-to-air capability allows it to neutralize hostile rotary-wing assets and UAVs, which have become increasingly prevalent in modern warfare. The video release also serves as a message to adversaries, showcasing the IAF’s ability to dominate low-altitude airspace and protect ground forces from aerial threats.

The Longbow Fire Control Radar (FCR), fitted on approximately 11 of the IAF’s Apaches, further enhances the helicopter’s effectiveness in air-to-air engagements. The FCR’s 360-degree coverage and low-probability-of-intercept design allow the Apache to detect and classify aerial targets in all weather conditions, day or night, enabling precise Stinger engagements. Combined with the helicopter’s Modernized Target Acquisition Designation System (MTADS) and night vision capabilities, the Apache can operate in hostile environments, engaging threats at standoff ranges while minimizing exposure to ground-based defences.

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