Poland to receive eight Apache helicopters from the U.S. Army
The United States will provide eight AH-64 Apache attack helicopters to the Polish military.
The helicopters are to be transferred from the U.S. Army stockpile as a transitional solution before Poland’s planned purchase of 96 AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters.
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak made the announcement on Friday after talks with the U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
According to him, the transfer of eight Apaches will take place after the Polish servicemen have completed training in the operation and maintenance of these attack helicopters.
Błaszczak also says that Polish pilots and technicians will soon start training with this type of air combat vehicles.
However, he adds that he does not expect the training to be completed this year, so the transfer of the eight AH-64 Apache attack helicopters will likely take place next year.
“We have an agreement (with the U.S. – Ed.) on 8 helicopters. They will be delivered to Poland once the Polish pilots and technicians have undergone training. But I will say cautiously that we will not be able to complete our studies this year. But we start training as soon as possible. The Apache is a great weapon that really gives an advantage to an army that has these helicopters. We want to strengthen the Polish army to deter the aggressor. These are the best attack helicopters in the world,” Mariusz Błaszczak said.
AH-64 Apache helicopters will be deployed in the 18th Mechanized Division and 1st Aviation Brigade of the Polish Land Forces.
As previously reported, last year the Ministry of Defense of Poland sent a request for the purchase of 96 American AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters.
The new attack helicopters will strengthen the aviation power of the Polish Land Forces.
The AH-64E Apache Guardian has improved characteristics, devices and software and is equipped with a state-of-the-art electronic flight control system. The speed of Apache is up to 300 km/h, and the flight range is more than 1.9 thousand km.
Since 1984, over 2,600 Apaches have been delivered to the U.S. Military and international customers. Currently, more than 1,260 Apaches are operating worldwide, and over 665 of them are the E-model.
