<span style="color: #222222;">The first Apache Helicopter AH-64E(I) was formally handed over to the Indian Air Force, IAF at Boeing production facility in Mesa, Arizona,  USA. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Air Marshal A S Butola, accepted the helicopter yesterday. An official release said that the IAF had signed a contract with the  US Government and Boeing Company in September 2015 for 22 Apache helicopters. The first batch of the helicopters is scheduled to be shipped to India by July this year. </span><br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The release said that these helicopters will provide a significant edge in any future joint operations in support of land forces.  The new acquisition is an important step towards modernisation of the IAF's helicopter fleet. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The helicopter has been customized to suit IAF's future requirements and carry out precision attacks. </span><br />