As per reports, the helos, all painted in the distinctive Indian Army colour scheme, were transported on an An-124 cargo aircraft from the US. However, it remained at the East Midlands Airport in England for eight years before flying back into Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, the origin. The Apache’s onward journey to India was obstructed after Turkey refused to grant airspace clearance for the aircraft, according to sources.
However, there was no official confirmation in this regard, either from the Indian or Turkish authorities.
The reports angered Turkish media Yeni Akit, which said “Boeing’s explanation that the diversion was due to logistical issues did not satisfy the Indian press.”
“Are there no other routes than Turkey? They claim the diplomatic situation between India and Turkey is the reason for Turkey's refusal. While the Indian press claimed that Turkey had closed its airspace, they failed to provide any concrete evidence that Ankara had intentionally imposed any obstacles during this process,” Yeni Akit alleged.
Yeni Akit claims the helos could have reached their destination without passing through Turkey's FIR (flight information region) airspace. “Indeed, a flight between the UK and India could have gone from the UK to Germany/Austria > Greece > the Mediterranean > Lebanon/Israel, or directly to India via Iraq and Oman,” it alleged.
The report cited more realistic reasons for the Apache delivery delays, such as “disruptions in the global supply chain, production, and logistics issues.”
It, however, acknowledged that India-Turkey relations have been strained by Turkey’s diplomatic and military support to Pakistan and pointed fingers at Indian media reports were “one-sided and with incomplete information.”
However, Yeni Akit still couldn’t confirm or provide other evidence as to what caused the Apaches to be diverted back to the US.