IAF’s new Apache helicopter makes emergency landing in Punjab

An Apache helicopter of the Indian Air Force made an emergency landing in a Hoshiyarpur village after developing a technical fault. There was no loss of life or property.

An Apache helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made an emergency landing in Hoshiarpur, Punjab on Friday afternoon.

The newly inducted IAF helicopter took off from the Pathankot air base, but the pilot had to make an emergency landing in a field in Hoshiarpur after it developed a technical snag, officials said.

"The chopper made a precautionary landing after warning alert in its control panels," the Indian Air Force said in its statement.

The crew is safe and no major damage has been reported. "The attack choppers are based out of the Pathankot airbase and this chopper had taken off from there. The Air Force will check the helicopter and then take it back to its base. The pilots are safe," the Air Force said.

The US-made Apache AH-64E attack helicopters were inducted into the Indian Air Force last year. The AH-64E Apache is one of the world's most advanced multi-role combat helicopters.

22 Apaches were ordered by India for the IAF in a $1.1 billion deal, the first of which were delivered in September, last year.