Poland authorized to purchase up to 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters

The U.S. State Department authorized the possible sale of up to 96 AH-64E Apache helicopters and associated equipment for an estimated cost of $12 billion.

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As has been announced since September 2022, the Polish Ministry of Defense plans to acquire 96 AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters for the Polish Army.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) issued a statement informing of the possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Poland of the following items:

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• 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters;
• 210 T700-GE 701D engines (192 installed, 18 spares);
• AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors (M-TADS/PNVS) (96 installed, 1 spare);
• 37 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) Mast Mounted Assembly (MMA) (36 installed, 1 spare);
• 37 Longbow Fire Control Radar (FCR) Radar Electronic Units (REU) (36 installed, 1 spare);
• 96 Modernized Radar Frequency Interferometers (MRFI) AN/APR-48B;
• 102 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) (96 installed, 6 spares);
• 204 AN/ARC-231A Very High Frequency/Ultra High Frequency (VHF/UHF) radios (192 installed, 12 spares);
• 1844 AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles;
• 96 M36E8 Hellfire captive airborne training missiles (CATM);
• 460 AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) -successor to the Hellfire-;
• 508 Stinger 92K Block I missiles;
• 7650 WGU-59/B Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS-II) 70mm laser-guided rocket sections;
• 30 mm cannons, rocket launchers, missile launchers and their respective ammunition, etc.

Also included are state-of-the-art self-defense equipment, identification friend-of-the-friend (IFF) transponders; enhanced data modems; small tactical terminals; redundant secure navigation systems, spare parts, support equipment, training, documentation and more.

A highlight is that the Polish Apache will come equipped with the Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) receiver kit to allow them to receive in-flight information from unmanned aerial systems in the area and to be able to direct them in combat operations.

This large AH-64E purchase is part of the Polish Ministry of Defense’s ongoing project to renew its helicopter force, which includes the purchase of 22 AW101 heavy helicopters, as well as the acquisition of 32 AW149 medium helicopters from Leonardo and the expansion of its S-70i Black Hawk helicopter fleet.

In addition to the Apache and a large armament and support package, Poland is interested in acquiring the technology transfer necessary to perform many of the repair and maintenance activities in the country. These offsets will be negotiated between Warsaw, Washington, Boeing and the other contractors.