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jhungary; what you are talking about is true. But in this matter; it is simply a matter of a "turf war" between the Air Force and the Army for control of the assets. Correctly speaking, in South Asia; the doctrines for the use of Helo Gunships is still evolving. Until now the IA paid for the existing Mi-35s out of its budget while they were flown by IAF pilots. While the IA started out with Helos only in an Arty spotter role, which were done earlier by Piper Cub type of light aircraft. It is only now that the IA has a doctrine for use of Rotary winged gunships as an organic part of Mech Forces. This is the transitionary period, the dust will settle down and control of all Gunships will pass to the IA.
About 50 years ago, the IN had to similarly fight with the IAF to gain control of Attack and MR/ASW aircraft. The IN eventually prevailed; just because they had acquired a Carrier. And there was just no way that the IAF knew how to run that Carrier!
Turf war happens in every country, not just in India.....
I don't know why i am pissed by the Defense Ministry decision but coming from a similar background, i just don't see the value of Apache doing in Indian Air Force.
The tradition role of Artillery Spotter always goes with low flying prop aircraft. Now it's more a job for drone and/or C2 bird. Buying an Apache for those role would be like buying a BMW M5 as a taxi.....Yeah it done the job but you would better use it for something else.
Maybe because i don't really understand how Indian Military work. But in order for an Apache to earn their paid, you need to bring it around riding out ahead of friendly armored column. Otherwise you should not be bother to get them to begin with. Turf war or not, a country's military should be going the way benefit the country to most.
This is not about operational points, this competition started as a replacement for IAFs Mi 35s, therefor if the Apache has won the competition, IAF must get them. The point however is, will they remain in IAF, or will they be diverted to IA, like the Mi 35s already are.
IAF claims that they could use it for SEAD / DEAD roles, in combination with their fighters, or that they would be fully qualified to maintain the support to IAs ground troops or tank corps, which is of course possible. With the same data capabilities you could use the Apaches for such forward recon roles like you pointed out, linked with a squadron of LCHs, basically the same tactic that IAF currently have with MKIs and Mig 21, 29s. However, I completely agree with you that operating them in different forces only slows down the process and imo it would be easier and more effective to divert some of the Apaches to IAF in case they really would be needed in SEAD/DEAD roles, instead of wasting them in IAF by waiting for a situation to come where it really would be needed.
Imo, IAF needs nothing more than Rudras for escort and fire support roles of transport helicopters, or in special operations. IA should get all LCH and Apaches to work independently in offensive roles, with Rudras providing fire support for tank corps or ground troops.
The only way i can see Apache used in SEAD operation is as a bait.......
But even then. It literally make no sense to use Apache to do SEAD as bait, SEAD work by tricking the enemy turning on their radar and your shoot your ARM, and basically you will not try to use a low flying heli to trick the enemy radar. The very purpose of Apache is to operate under it.........It does not make any sense at all...
Nor does Apache can carry HARM. HARM generate an airflow that will certainly disrupt the tail rotor, unless you want to crash your Apache every time you use HARM. It does not make any sense at all.
Air Force Operate high speed aircraft, imo, they should not operate any helicopter......But in reality, that's quite different....
The politic is "If you don't spend the money this year, there aren't any coming thru the next" Sort of set the precedent on turf war. They all wanted to get the most, whether they actually need it or not. So, you are right, most of this case, it's not about operational capability, but simply politic.
That is the problem, SEAD is a single specific mission and for combat helicopters it is more than rare. Procuring expensive helicopters for a situation that might never come, instead of simply diverting helicopters to IAF command, just like IAF now diverts Mi 35s to IA command makes clearly more sense.
It has nothing to do with current or future procurments, but that it's silly to buy combat helicopters for IAF, when there is no role for them left. As soon as IA gets Rudra and LCH, they won't need IAF anymore for fire support or anti tank roles, which means the Apaches are completely wasted and would wait for silly escorting roles of Mi 26 or 17 helicopters or the minimal chance that they would be used for SEAD in a war.
There is simply no need for similar helicopters in both forces for the same role, either you keep them in IAF, or you transfer them to IA.
You cannot replace Apache with anything, they are uniquely designed to perform a specific task. You can buy them and use them on other task, that's just simply wasting your money....
If i am not mistaken, Rudra is a armed utilities heli something along the line of a UH-1 Gunship and LCH is a light attack helicopter which suit best for light anti-ground/anti-air interdiction mission. If Indian are facing a large scale armor attack, from multiple entry, LCH and Rudra is not as capable to eliminate or even to deter such a threat....
I am not comment on how likely India would face a Full Size armor attack but if they do, and you literally got nothing to stop them, and always remember you can only lose once........
