Although the IAF’s Chinook helicopters, known for their heavy-lifting capabilities, were considered for the recovery, the Apache’s weight and the high-altitude conditions made such an operation impossible.

A Chinook can carry an Apache under normal conditions, but the task becomes far more complicated at altitudes like Khardung La, which lies at approximately 18,000 feet. Helicopters don’t have the same load-carrying capacity at high altitudes as in the plains.

An IAF officer with experience operating in high-altitude regions previously reported, “Engine performance and load capacity are drastically reduced in these environments.”

This left the IAF with only one viable option: dismantling the Apache and transporting its parts by road. Shortly after the mishap, IAF technical teams and engineers spent weeks assessing the damage and exploring all possible recovery solutions.

Following the initial assessment, a team of engineers underwent a 21-day acclimatization process to prepare for the challenging environment at the helicopter’s landing site.

With the helicopter resting in a remote, inaccessible area, IAF teams had no choice but to manually carry over 400 individual components of the Apache to the nearest road, from where they were transported to Leh. Now, only the airframe and engine remain at the site.

In the final phase of the recovery, a specialized crane will be dismantled, carried in parts by trained mountaineers to the site, and used to lower the Apache onto a truck for its journey to Leh.

The recovery effort has been further complicated by Ladakh’s freezing nighttime temperatures, which continue to dip below zero as the region enters winter.

Indian Army’s Apache AH-64E Delays 

The Indian Army is still waiting for the delivery of its first Apache AH-64E attack helicopters from the United States, part of a $600 million deal signed in 2020. The Army is set to receive six Apache helicopters as per the agreement.

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According to sources within the defense establishment, the initial batch will likely include three Apache helicopters. The remaining three are expected to arrive in India within three to four months after the first delivery.

While there is cautious optimism about this revised timeline, defense officials remain wary due to previous delays. The report added that if Boeing manages to stick to the updated schedule, the helicopters are expected to arrive by February 2025—at least a year past the original deadline.

The Indian Army planned to deploy these choppers with its newly formed 451 Aviation Squadron in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The squadron was established in March 2024 and expected to receive the Apaches as initially planned.

These advanced helicopters are crucial for the Army’s operations on the Western front, offering superior agility, firepower, and advanced targeting systems.

The Indian Air Force has inducted 22 Apache helicopters as part of a separate 2015 order, while the Indian Army is awaiting these six to enhance its capabilities. The Army’s Aviation Corps is vital to its operational strength, providing essential aerial support for various military missions.

The Apache helicopters are set to significantly boost the Army’s ability to conduct missions, particularly in challenging terrain and hostile environments.