The US Department of State, through the Security and Defense Cooperation Agency (DSCA), informed on Thursday (0) that Australia received authorization for the purchase of 03 AH-29E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, a purchase valued at US $64 billion.
In January the Australian Ministry of Defense announced that it had chosen the American helicopter to replace the 22 Eurocopter (today Airbus Helicopters) Tiger in service with the country's Army.
Australia took delivery of its first Tigers in 2004, but the aircraft did not reach full operational capacity until 2016, seven years later than originally planned. The aircraft should be replaced by Apaches from 2025. The Bell AH-1Z Viper also participated in the competition to replace the Australian Tigers.
According to the statement from the US government agency, the possible billionaire purchase includes six spare T700-GE 701D turboshaft engines (58 already on the aircraft), AN/APG-78 fire control radars, navigation systems, missile defenses and electronic warfare. , 85 AGM-114R Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, 230mm M30 cannons and ammunition, 70mm rockets, laser-guided APKWS-GS rockets and other training, instruction and logistical items.
Another interesting item is the Manned-Unmanned Teaming-2 video receivers (MUMT-X and air-air-ground kits, which will allow the integration of Apache Guardian crews with drones. In April, Australia received authorization for the acquisition of 12 MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones.
The DSCA also reported that the two main contractors will be Boeing and Lockheed Martin, in addition to the need to send eight representatives of the companies to Australia. With the selection of helicopters and US authorization, the governments will have to meet to close the contracts for the acquisition of aircraft.
Currently, the AH-64 flies in another 16 countries including the US, with another six in the Asia-Pacific region: Japan, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. The aircraft employs a 230mm M30 cannon and can carry AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, AIM-92 Stinger and 70mm rockets.
