Poland signed this Tuesday (13) the letter from the United States government to purchase 96 AH-64 Apache Guardian attack helicopters. Valued at US$12 billion, the purchase makes the country the 19th operator of the helicopter manufactured by Boeing.
The acquisition comes days after the Poles signed two compensation agreements, anticipating the final signature of the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA), celebrated today. The deal also follows a series of investments by Poland in its armed forces, a response to the changing geopolitical security landscape with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“We are honored that the Government of Poland has placed its trust in us”, said Vince Logsdon, vice president of International Business Development, Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “The AH-64E Apache helicopters will strengthen Poland’s operational capability and interoperability with the US, NATO and allied nations. We look forward to delivering this unmatched capability.”
Specifically, the purchase of the new Apache helicopters is part of the Kruk Program (crow in Polish), which sought a replacement for the old Mil Mi-24 Hind, of Soviet origin. The Government of Poland has selected the AH-64E Apache for the Polish Armed Forces' new attack helicopter fleet in September 2022.
The offset agreement with Boeing includes maintenance and of the Polish Armed Forces' fleet of Apache helicopters by the Polish defense industry, along with the establishment of training programs and for the development of a composite laboratory.
“Poland’s commitment to acquire 96 aircraft represents the largest FMS [foreign military sales] order in the history of Boeing’s Vertical Lift division and will not only make Poland our 19th global Apache customer, but also the largest operator outside the United States. ”, said Kathleen Jolivette, vice president and general manager of Vertical Lift.
The AH-64 is one of the most recognized attack helicopters, operated by 17 nations including the UK, Egypt, Greece, Taiwan and Israel. The aircraft reaches 290 km/h and can carry air-to-air, air-to-ground missiles and a 30mm automatic cannon.
The AH-64E Apache Guardian is the most modern variant of the aircraft. The AH-64E features a series of improvements, such as more powerful engines, modernization of sensors, navigation and communication systems, new rotor blades with composite material, designed to resist attacks from 23 mm anti-aircraft guns, among others. There are currently more than 1.290 Apaches operating worldwide, with sustainment and training provided by Boeing Global Services.
