Poland nears $12B deal for 96 Apache helicopters

The agreement for 96 Apache helicopters is often referred to as the contract of the decade, with the maximum value of the transaction set at $12 billion. Almost two years have passed since the initial declarations in September 2022 regarding Poland's intention to acquire modern attack helicopters, but negotiations on this matter are heading to a successful conclusion.

This was reported on Polsat News by Deputy Head of the Armament Agency, Lt. Col. Robert Frommholz, who confirmed that offset agreements related to the Polish order will be signed within a few days.

After the offset agreements are signed, an executive agreement will follow, and the first interim helicopters will arrive in Poland "at the turn of the year." However, these will not be the final machines; the latest variant, the AH-64E Apache Guardian.

Before the helicopters Poland purchased are delivered, Polish soldiers will receive eight units of an older Apache variant, the AH-64D, acquired through leasing.

According to previous arrangements, the interim equipment was to reach Poland after the training of pilots and ground personnel. The first group of Poles has already completed training, paving the way for the delivery of the machines. The interim equipment will allow for training personnel in the country, as well as familiarizing soldiers with the new equipment and its capabilities.

A similar procedure— involving the earlier delivery of older equipment from the American military's inventory— was applied in the case of Abrams tanks, where the Americans provided Poland with 28 vehicles in the M1A2 SEP v.2 variant, enabling training before receiving the final vehicles.

Along with the tanks and the purchase of Apache helicopters, Poland is also gaining the ability to independently service the purchased machines. This includes, among other things, the service and repair of Longbow fire control radars and engines.