US aerospace major Boeing completes delivery of 37 military helicopters to India India News Time 2

NEW DELHI: In the midst of Indias tense border standoff with China, US aerospace major Boeing delivered the final five of the 22 Apache attack helicopters to the Indian Air Forcearound two weeks ago, and the entire fleet is now part of the assets deployed in key air bases along the Line of Actual Control, officials said on Friday. Boeing said it completed delivery of all 22 Apache and 15 Chinook military helicopters to the IAF and is fully committed to meet the operational needs of the Indian armed forces. The AH-64E Apache is one of the worlds most advanced multi-role combat helicopters and is flown by the US Army. The Chinook is a multi-role, vertical-lift platform, primarily used for transporting troops, artillery, equipment and fuel. India signed a multi-billion dollar contract with Boeing to procure 22 Apache helicopters and 15 Chinooks for the IAF in September 2015. Another contract for the acquisition of six Apaches for the Indian Army was signed during President Donald Trumps visit here in February. Both the Apache and Chinook helicopters have been pressed into service as part of the IAFs deployment along the LAC in view of the bitter standoff with China in eastern Ladakh, officials said. The helicopters are being used primarily to transport troops to various forward locations in eastern Ladakh where Indian and Chinese militaries were on a eight-week standoff. Both sides have completed disengagement from three major friction points this week. "With this delivery of military helicopters, we continue to nurture this partnership and are fully committed to working closely with Indias defence forces to deliver the right value and capabilities to meet their operational needs," said Surendra Ahuja, Managing Director, Boeing Defence India. India is one of 17 nations to select the Apache and has the most advanced variant, the AH-64E Apache. Defence and security ties between India and the US have been on an upswing in the last six years. The