The AH-64E Apache attack helicopters will first be deployed to the 18th Mechanized Division.
The Polish Ministry of National Defence has sent a letter of request to the US government to buy 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for the nation’s armed forces, Defense News reports.
The planned purchase was unveiled on Sep. 8, 2022 by Deputy Prime Minister and Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak following a meeting with his US counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, which took place in Ramstein, Germany.
The potential value of the planned helicopter acquisition and the potential delivery schedule were not disclosed.
The Apache attack helicopters “will first be deployed to the 18th Mechanized Division. Not all of them, but the first units. This is because the 18th Division will be equipped with the Abrams tanks. These helicopters work great with Abrams tanks. Together, they constitute an enormous force. A force of resistance, because what we want to use them to deter our opponent,” Błaszczak was quoted in a statement released by the ministry.
According to Boeing, today’s AH-64E Version 6 (v6) is the most modern configuration of the Apache and is ready for the MDO battlefield. A network-centric, fully integrated weapon system specifically built to dominate in highly contested and complex battle space, the Version 6 Apache includes multiple enhancements to the aircraft’s sensors, software and weapons performance.
Designed for interoperability within the ecosystem of Joint All Domain Operations (JADO), the AH-64E v6 is a lethal, survivable and agile system providing the range, maneuverability and performance needed by ground forces and contributes to current and future joint mission success.
By providing and integrating advanced capabilities through a layered effect of on board and off board sensors, stand-off long range weapons and the connectivity required to use all the tools the ecosystem can bring, Boeing’s AH-64E v6 is a fully integrated, optimized for battle attack helicopter that is truly in a class by itself.
Polish leaders have made plans to spend big on hardening the country’s defenses against a potential attack by Moscow since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in later February.
In April 2022, Poland signed a deal to purchase 250 M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 from the US. The agreement worth about $4.75 billion.
According to local defense officials the 18th Mechanized Division is to become a bulwark against would-be invaders. The unit is set up in Siedlce, about 91 km (56.5 miles) east of Poland’s capital Warsaw.
Photo credit: Capt. Brian Harris / U.S. Army
