US President Admits Apache Helicopter Supply Delay While Highlighting India-US Defence Cooperation.

Washington; January 2026: US President Donald Trump on 06th January (US Local Time) has boasted about India-US defence cooperation, claiming that India’s order for 68 Apache attack helicopters was delayed by five years and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally raised concerns over the long delivery period during a meeting with him.

Speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat, Trump highlighted defence cooperation between the United States and India and criticised what he described as years-long delays in supplying defence equipment. “India coming at me that they have been waiting for 5 years and we are changing that. India ordered 68 Apache helicopters. PM Modi came to me and said ‘Sir can I please see you?’ and I said yes”, Trump said, while recalling his interaction with PM Modi.

Trump also reiterated his good relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi; however, he underscored PM Modi’s unhappiness over the high tariffs imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil.

“I have a very good relationship with PM Modi, but he is not happy with me as India is paying high tariffs. But now they have reduced it very substantially, buying oil from Russia”, he added. “They wanted to make me happy, basically. Modi is a very good man; he is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy”, he said.

Earlier, on 17th December 2025, The US Embassy in India had hailed the arrival of the final batch of Boeing India AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for the Indian Army, terming it a fulfilment of commitments made under the India US defence partnership. The deliveries had faced repeated delays. In a post on X, the US Embassy said the delivery marked progress on the joint statement issued by the US President and the Prime Minister’s Office of India.

“Delivering on the POTUS and PMO India joint statement, the arrival of the latest Boeing India AH-64E Apache helicopters for the Indian Army marks another step forward in the US India Major Defense Partnership. This milestone reflects the reliable and growing US-India Defense partnership and fulfills

commitments made by US Secretary of War and Defence Ministry of India. With its cutting-edge capabilities, the Apache strengthens our shared vision for regional security and deepens cooperation in co-production, training, and technology exchange”, the US embassy had said.

The Indian Army receiving the remaining 03 Apache attack helicopters, marks the completion of the  delivery of all 06 helicopters contracted for the Army Aviation Corps. According to the Army, the helicopters will be deployed after assembly, joint inspections and completion of other formalities, and will be based in Jodhpur.

The Apache helicopter can carry a range of weapons, including air-to-ground Hellfire missiles, 70 mm Hydra rockets and air-to-air Stinger missiles. It is also equipped with a 30 mm chain gun with 1,200 rounds as part of its area weapon subsystem. The helicopter is fitted with the Longbow fire control radar.

Boeing has said that the Apache is the only attack helicopter in the world with a fire control radar that provides 360-degree coverage, along with a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision operations. The Boeing AH-64E is the most advanced configuration of the Apache and is designed for the Multi-Domain Operations battlefield. The AH-64E Version 6 includes upgrades to sensors, software and weapons performance.

Designed for interoperability within the Multi-Domain Operations ecosystem, the AH-64E v6 is built to operate in highly contested and complex battle spaces. It integrates onboard and offboard sensors, long-range stand-off weapons and network connectivity to support joint operations. The AH-64E v6 is described as a fully integrated attack helicopter optimised for modern battlefield requirements.

Team Maverick.