News Highlights
India in talks for more Apache, Chinook choppers that boost India – USA Defence Relation
Focus Points
- The F/A18 E/F Super Hornet fighter jet has distinct advantages in terms of capability over the competitor French Rafale M jet to operate from the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers, says a senior official from aircraft manufacturer Boeing.
- India is also negotiating the purchase of additional Chinook CH47F(I) Chinook heavy lift helicopters and AH64E Apache attack helicopters, according to Torbjorn (Turbo) Sjogren, vice president, International Government and Defence, Boeing.
AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter
- Type – attack helicopter
- Production – Boeing
- Features
- These are all-weather capable, easy to maintain, and have exceptional agility and fight damage survivability.
- It has the ability to carry out precision assaults at long ranges and operate in hostile airspace with land threats.
- Through data uplinking and networking, it can broadcast and receive battlefield images.
- In network-centric aerial combat, it can also fire and forget anti-tank guided missiles, air-to-air missiles, and rockets while giving versatility to helicopters.
- It also incorporates a 360-degree fire control radar, a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition, and night vision equipment.
Chinook Helicopter
- Manufacture – Boeing
- Features
- The Chinook is a vertical-lift multi-role platform that transports troops, artillery, equipment, and fuel.
- It’s also employed in humanitarian and disaster relief activities, as well as tasks like relief supply transportation and mass refugee evacuation.
- Chinook helicopters have a unique twin-engine, tandem-rotor design
F/A18E Super Hornet Fighter
- The Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet are twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft variants based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.
- The Block III version which is currently being manufactured for the United States Navy will enable the Indian armed forces to challenge the next generation of adversaries.
- Features
- Multirole Superiority: Capable of tactical strikes, air reconnaissance, air defence, and maritime roles
- Cutting edge technologies : Enhanced computing and data link, advanced cockpit system, signature improvements
- Lifecycle Affordability: Lowest cost per flight hour among all U.S. tactical fighters in production. High mission capability rates
- Future Ready: Unrivalled growth potential to complement future air wing capabilities.
India – USA Defence Relation
- The Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) between India and the United States aims to promote co-development and co-production initiatives.
- The United States designated India as a “Major Defence Partner” in 2016, committing the US to enable technology sharing with India on a par with its closest friends and partners.
- Defence Framework Agreement
- GSOMIA (a military information agreement) signed in 2002.
- LEMOA (logistics exchange agreement) signed in 2016
- COMCASA (communications security agreement) was signed in 2018
- Basic Exchange Cooperation Agreement (BECA) signed in 2020
- The bilateral Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism is an important mechanism in this regard
- Joint statement for Pakistan.
- Major defence deals like chinook , apache helicopter, MH 60 – R.
- Joint military exercise like Yudh Abhyas , RIMPAC , Malabar , Vajra Prahar , Cope India, MILAN.
Pic Courtesy : Economic Times
Content Source : The Hindu