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British Army’s new Apaches come online as the force confronts new challenges

28th February 2024 - 16:59 GMT | by Damian Kemp in London

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The British Army will operate 50 AH-64Es. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)

The British Army’s new fleet of attack helicopters are a major step-change from the previous various and the force has a strong focus on the opportunities for spiral development and crewed-uncrewed teaming.

The British Army will achieve Full Operational Capability with its fleet of 50 Apache AH-64E V6 attack helicopters by January 2026 after last year’s declaration of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and the retirement of the last of its old Apaches at the end of March. The claim was made when details of the programme where share at Defence iQ’s International Military Helicopter conference in London on 28 February.

Thirty-eight of the AH-64Es, remanufactured using common parts from the army’s AH-64 MkI fleet, have found themselves in the UK, with the remaining 12 helicopters due before the end of the year.

Older aircraft have

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Author

Damian Kemp

Damian Kemp has worked in the defence media for 25 years covering military aircraft, defence …

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