In a surprising turn of events, former U.S. President Donald Trump, during a recent address, alluded to a past interaction with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the procurement of Apache helicopters. Trump's remarks, however, contained inaccuracies, leading to a wave of confusion and prompting clarifications from both sides.
According to Trump, India had been waiting for five years to receive Apache helicopters and that Modi had personally requested his intervention to expedite the delivery. "India ordered Apache helicopters and didn't get them for 5 years. PM Modi came to me and said 'Sir can I please see you?' and I said yes," Trump stated.
However, facts indicate a different timeline. India signed a deal with the U.S. in February 2020 to procure six Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters for the Indian Army. While the initial delivery was expected by mid-2024, delays occurred, pushing the timeline back. The first batch of three helicopters arrived in July 2025, and the final batch was delivered in December 2025. Therefore, the actual waiting period was significantly shorter than the five years claimed by Trump.
Moreover, sources suggest that the Indian Ministry of Defence directly procured the helicopters through the Direct Commercial Sales procedure, implying that the deal was signed in 2020. This contradicts the notion that Modi had to personally intervene with Trump to push the purchase forward.
The U.S. Embassy in India officially announced the delivery of the final batch of Apache attack helicopters to the Indian Army. All six helicopters have been assigned to the 451st Army Aviation Squadron, which is being formed at Nagtalao base in Rajasthan.
Trump also mentioned India's unhappiness with tariffs imposed by the U.S., particularly those linked to India's purchase of Russian oil. He claimed that India had substantially reduced its oil imports from Russia. These comments came amidst repeated warnings from Trump to New Delhi over its continued oil trade with Russia. He has accused India of strengthening Moscow by buying discounted Russian crude and has cited this as the reason for sharply higher duties on Indian goods.
The Indian Army intends to build a fleet of 39 Apache attack helicopters, which will join 114 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Light Combat Helicopters (LCH). The Apache and LCH will build-up the Indian Army's close air support (CAS) coverage for ground operations.
Boeing, in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), is constructing a production facility in Hyderabad's Adibatla Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The plant will manufacture AH-64 fuselages and other subassemblies for the Indian Army and IAF as well as Boeing's global supply chain.
The recent developments highlight the ongoing defense cooperation between India and the United States, even amidst trade disputes and differing perspectives on geopolitical issues. While Trump's statements may have missed the mark, the delivery of the Apache helicopters signifies a step forward in strengthening India's defense capabilities and solidifying the strategic partnership between the two nations.
