Poland becomes the largest Apache operator outside of the US
The Government of Poland has signed a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache combat helicopters, as part of the Polish KRUK Attack Helicopter program.
“We are honored the Government of Poland has placed their confidence in us,” said Vince Logsdon, vice president, International Business Development for Boeing Defense, Space & Security, in a company news release. “The AH-64E Apache helicopters will strengthen Poland’s operational capability and interoperability with the U.S., NATO and allied nations. We look forward to delivering this unmatched capability.”
The LOA comes a week after the Polish Ministry of National Defence announced an offset agreement with Boeing. The agreement includes maintenance and support of the Polish Armed Forces fleet of Apache helicopters by Polish defense industry along with the establishment of training programs and supporting the development of a composite laboratory.
The offset projects aim to enhance the sustainment capabilities of the Polish defense industry, support creation of highly skilled jobs within this field, and facilitate technological advancements, leading to significant economic benefits.
“Poland’s commitment to procure 96 aircraft represents the largest FMS order in the history of Boeing’s Vertical Lift division and will not only make Poland our 19th global Apache customer but the largest operator outside of the United States,” said Kathleen Jolivette, vice president and general manager, Vertical Lift.
AH-64E Apache v6
Boeing has been building the AH-64 Apache for more than 40 years in Mesa, Arizona.
According to Boeing, today’s AH-64E Version 6 (v6) is the most modern configuration of the Apache and is ready for the MDO battlefield. A network-centric, fully integrated weapon system specifically built to dominate in highly contested and complex battle space, the Version 6 Apache includes multiple enhancements to the aircraft’s sensors, software and weapons performance.
Designed for interoperability within the ecosystem of Joint All Domain Operations (JADO), the AH-64E v6 is a lethal, survivable and agile system providing the range, maneuverability and performance needed by ground forces and contributes to current and future joint mission success.
By providing and integrating advanced capabilities through a layered effect of on board and off board sensors, stand-off long range weapons and the connectivity required to use all the tools the ecosystem can bring, Boeing’s AH-64E v6 is a fully integrated, optimized for battle attack helicopter that is truly in a class by itself.
18th Mechanized Division
As already reported the planned purchase was unveiled on Sep. 8, 2022 by Deputy Prime Minister and Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak following a meeting with his US counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, which took place in Ramstein, Germany.
The Apache attack helicopters “will first be deployed to the 18th Mechanized Division. Not all of them, but the first units. This is because the 18th Division will be equipped with the Abrams tanks. These helicopters work great with Abrams tanks. Together, they constitute an enormous force. A force of resistance, because what we want to use them to deter our opponent,” Błaszczak was quoted in a statement released by the ministry.
Polish leaders have made plans to spend big on hardening the country’s defenses against a potential attack by Moscow since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In April 2022, Poland signed a deal to purchase 250 M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 from the US. The agreement is worth about $4.75 billion.
According to local defense officials the 18th Mechanized Division is to become a bulwark against would-be invaders. The unit is set up in Siedlce, about 91 km (56.5 miles) east of Poland’s capital Warsaw.
Photo by Capt. Brian Harris / U.S. Army, Sgt. Agustín Montañez / U.S. Army National Guard and Boeing
