Boeing's AH-64 Apache attack helicopter will soon have one more customer: Poland. Mariusz Blaszczak, Polish Defense Minister, confirmed that the country has sent the US a request to buy 96 AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters, a more modern version of the aircraft.
Blaszczak confirmed the AH-64E as the winner of the Kruk Program, which seeks a replacement for the Mil Mi-24 Hind helicopters, of Soviet origin, operated by Polish Army Aviation.
Kolejne dobre wieści! Wystosowaliśmy zapytanie offertowe do USA dotyczące pozyskania 96 śmigłowców AH-64E APACHE w najnowszej wersji GUARDIAN na potrzeby Lotnictwa Wojsk Lądowych. Wraz ze śmigłowcami pozyskamy również transfer technologii. pic.twitter.com/VdZUybVRCc
- Mariusz Błaszczak (@mblaszczak) September 8, 2022
The new Apaches will also be paired with 250 M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 tanks, acquired in April in a contract valued at $4,75 billion. The Minister also says that the Apache Guardian will be acquired with technology transfer. The estimated purchase price for the helicopters was not disclosed.
A Boeing, in turn, celebrated the decision, saying he was “honored that the government of Poland has selected the AH-64E Apache for the new fleet of attack helicopters of the Polish Armed Forces. The selection of the Apache strengthens US-Poland military ties, increasing interoperability and cooperation between Poland, the US Army and NATO nations.”
“During the acquisition process, Boeing established significant cooperative partnerships between the Polish government and industry. Our partnership with the Polish Armaments Group, in particular, will continue to expand as we implement training and sustainment efforts with local industry.”
The selection of the Apache also follows a long series of investments by the Polish government in the defense sector, motivated, among other things, by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In July, Blaszczak signed the purchase of South Korean fighters and armored vehicles and new Italy helicopters.
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.
