India to buy U.S. Apache Takenao triggered the Indian army and air force to "scramble"

On October 6, the U.S. Boeing to beat Miri Design Bureau Russia - India will buy $ 1.4 billion worth of 22 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters in the Indian attack helicopter competition.

Currently, the U.S. production is the upgraded version of the AH-64D "Longbow Apache". Is the driving force and the size of the avionics level of information supporting the type of weapons or the actual use of effects, the AH-64D regulator Russian Mi-28 a. Therefore, even the Russian media also reflect India choose "Apache" rather than Russian-made rice-28H, it is understandable. But what happened then, is really puzzling.

Attribution dispute

The media attention to India imports AH-64D "Longbow", it did not notice in the future: who use this group of heavy attack helicopter.

In accordance with the general understanding of these helicopters must be handed over to the Indian Army. Actually, this is not the case. No dedicated armed helicopter unit of the Indian Army, the Indian Army called the Army Aviation Regiment "normalized Army jurisdiction in command, and the the armed helicopters management, maintenance and even pilots are owned by the Indian Air Force.

Air Force control helicopter gunships this phenomenon is not uncommon, for example, Israel, Singapore and the relatively small size of the Army National are. However, the Indian Army as a behemoth of nearly one million soldiers, do not have their own armed helicopter unit, really can be said is strange.

In fact, in this contract signed soon, the Indian Army and the Air Force had a heated debate broke out for the ownership of the group of helicopters by the Indian defense minister, and finally had to come forward to bridge their differences. According to Indian media reports, the Indian Army Chief of Staff, said the defense minister a letter has been received, confirmation will be attack helicopters.

Government of India, a national security adviser has suggested that the first batch of AH-64D "Longbow" should be handed over to the Indian Army. Some experts believe that this group of American equipment owned by the Indian Air Force may have to last. Lack of maintenance, management helicopter experience because the Indian Army, not to mention Dezhuan the group of the world's most advanced heavy helicopter gunships.

Use the dispute

Indian army helicopter usage patterns, exposing Indian land and air the two armies in joint operations, especially in close air support, there is a big controversy.

Indian Air Force believes that modern fighters facing a great threat to the close air support missions, the Army should be reduced by close air support. Army that, in certain locations through the implementation of a surprise attack on the enemy concentrated fire support, close air support for ground forces to create opportunities or to prevent the attack of the enemy.

Throughout the history of the Indian Air Force, equipped with helicopter gunships, hardly any of the Indian Army in combat in the implementation of an effective air support. 1999 Kargil conflict, the Indian armed helicopters bombed the other militants, but in two fighter portable missiles to shoot down, the Indian Air Force immediately removed all helicopters. Finally, the Indian Army only by their own artillery.

Joint operational level of information restrictions, the Indian Army is difficult to be obtained from the Air Force, where tactical support to combat. This is the Indian Army is trying to fight the main cause of helicopter gunships. However, the Indian Army's existing technical level, but also difficult to advanced equipment play a combat effectiveness. To maintain the pressure, even if the Indian Army to master the helicopter on the future battlefield, it is difficult to get the cover of the Air Force may even mistakenly hit by friendly forces.

From the media to publicize the situation, the Indian side of the amount of the contract is the Indian Air Force, the tender requirements are also proposed to the Indian Air Force. Even in combat targets, the Indian Air Force to take these armed helicopter is not to support the army, but to defend the airport base.

Indian Air Force heavy armed helicopters are vulnerable to attack, only to actions under the cover of the Air Force. Them deployed near the Air Force Base, both to get the cover, but also to protect the base free from terrorist attacks. Not unreasonable for the Indian Air Force, an average of $ 63,000,000 a "Apache", playing a little one Army combat support in high-risk battlefield, it is a little pity.

Controversy due to

However, experts believe that the Indian Air Force, the introduction of "Apache" look at the overall development of the Indian Army was hurt. Compared to 22 "Apache", India can use $ 1.4 billion to improve the performance of existing helicopters and a substantial increase in the degree of localization. So that the Indian Army to more helicopters and equipment to set up their own attack helicopter units and gradually gained a wealth of practical experience. Indian Army may pay a high price in the process, but there will be a qualitative leap in combat capability. Indian army, however, only to see the "Apache" advanced, did not see the real needs of their own development.

The reason why the Indian Army and Air Force helicopter battle will be staged, in the final analysis is that for two reasons. India's low level of military unable to meet the needs of in arms imports wave into a vicious circle. Second, the lack of overall coordination and planning of the construction of the national defense system in India. It should be said that the international community, India's arms procurement favor plus, basically no restrictions. Indian army to foreign equipment "used" no problem, but far failed to do so "into his own use".