Even as the IAF inducts 22 Apache Guardian attack helicopters armed with deadly missiles and rockets, the Army too is getting ready to order six of these heavy-duty choppers or "tanks in the air" from US.

The Rs 4,168 crore contract for the six Boeing-manufactured Apaches and associated equipment will be inked soon after being cleared by the cabinet committee on security (CCS_.

The AH-64E Apache multi-role combat helicopters are being bought under the US foreign military sales programme, Washington’s government-to-government method for selling US-built platforms. The deliveries of the helicopters will begin in 2022.

Armed with fire-and-forget Hellfire missiles, an Apache can track up to 128 targets a minute and prioritise threats. The missiles equip the gunships with heavy anti-armour capabilities.

Just six helicopters constitute a flight and would have limited operational value. The maintenance facilities of these six choppers should hopefully be dovetailed with the 22 Apaches that the IAF is acquiring - that is two full helicopter squadrons.

The IAF had begun to induct its 22 Apaches earlier this year under the Rs 13,952 crore deal inked with the US in September 2015. The Indian Air Force has begun inducting these helicopters. The six army Apaches are being bought as a follow-on option to the 2015 contract.

The army will deploy attack helicopters for the first time. Attack helicopters have been on the army’s wish list for several years, but IAF objected to the plan. The army says it requires more attack helicopters as it had moved a case to buy 39 Apaches a few years ago.