Bengaluru: Aerospace major Boeing Co will deliver the first of 22 AH-64E Apache twin-turboshaft attack helicopters to the Indian Air Force (IAF), a senior Boeing official said on Thursday.

"We are on plan to deliver the first of 22 Apache starting July. This will give significant combat capabilities (to the air force)," said David Koopersmith, VP & GM, Vertical Lift, Boeing, Defense, Space and Security.

The 22 Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters procured by India are likely to be delivered in batches, Koopersmith added.

The Indian government had placed an order for 22 AH- 64 E Apache helicopters as a part of a $1.4 billion deal that was signed in September 2015. In addition to this, India has also placed an order for 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters from Boeing.

Boeing's former India managing director Pratyush Kumar had in July 2018 said that India would get the most advanced version of the AH-64E Apache and CH-47F Chinook helicopters.

A joint venture between Tata and Boeing Co, Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited, is building the complete fuselage of the Apache helicopters at a company facility in Hyderabad.

Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited produces about eight Apache fuselage, per month, which are shipped across the world.

The Apache helicopters will help the Indian armed forces to neutralize ground threats both on the eastern and western borders of the country.

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