Poland signs for 96 Apache attack helicopters
Poland has become the 19th international customer for the Apache attack helicopter. (Photo: Boeing)
Poland selected the Apache two years ago and recently finalised details of an offset agreement. The Foreign Military Sale (FMS) Letter of Offer and Agreement (LOA) has sealed the deal.
Poland has signed the FMS LOA to purchase 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache combat helicopters as part of the Polish KRUK Attack Helicopter programme in a deal worth as much as US$12 billion.
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 defence 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 defence industry, support creation of highly skilled jobs within this field, and facilitate technological advancements, leading to significant economic benefits.
At the MSPO exhibition in September 2022, then Polish defence minister Mariusz Błaszczak revealed that a Letter of Request had been sent to the US government for 96 Apaches, the aircraft having being selected over the AH-1Z Viper from Bell. The FMS was approved in August 2023 with the package noted as being worth $12 billion.
Speaking at Farnborough International Airshow 2024 last month, Boeing vice-president of international business development Tim Flood said: “We’ve basically completed our negotiations, we’re just waiting for the final approval.
“[For] the final timeline for Apache, we would defer to the Polish government, [however, Polish pilots] are already being trained in the US,” he added. Poland leased some Apaches from the US Army and they’ll start arriving this year so this is a fast-moving programme.”
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![How the evolving MQ-9B is opening new markets for GA-ASI]()
How the evolving MQ-9B is opening new markets for GA-ASI
With $12 billion in deals already signed and several major procurements on the horizon, the evolution of GA-ASI’s MQ-9B could lead to additional deals for the popular aircraft.
-
![FIA 2026: Gripen marks operational milestone as Ukraine deal moves forward]()
FIA 2026: Gripen marks operational milestone as Ukraine deal moves forward
At the end of June, Ukraine and Sweden signed a landmark deal which calls for a first batch of used Gripen C/Ds to be delivered from 2027, followed by the more advanced Gripen E.
-
![Canadian observer status reinforces GCAP’s strength in emerging ‘middle power’ bloc]()
Canadian observer status reinforces GCAP’s strength in emerging ‘middle power’ bloc
The significant setback seen by FCAS earlier this year has secured GCAP’s position as Europe’s future sixth-generation fighter, while Canada’s potential observer status could push the programme into the next stage.
-
![UK air focus: Drone spending trails European frontline states despite $10.46 billion valuation]()
UK air focus: Drone spending trails European frontline states despite $10.46 billion valuation
Despite the UK having the third-largest military UAV market in Europe, the country appears to be underinvesting in the capability relative to the size of its economy, particularly when compared with Baltic and eastern European states.
