FMS order for AH-64Es will see Poland becoming largest international Apache operator

Boeing has received a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) from the US Army for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters worth almost USD 4.7 billion (EUR 4 billion) that will see the company build 96 of the helicopters for the Polish armed forces.

The other FMS customers that will receive AH-64Es under the deal are Egypt and Kuwait, although Boeing has not directly specified how many helicopters these countries will receive. However, a Kuwaiti FMS request for eight AH-64Es was approved in December 2020, while Egypt was approved in 2018 to receive 10 new-build AH-64Es alongside the upgrading of older AH-64 variants.

The Polish order, however, represents the largest number of Apache aircraft ordered outside of the United States in the programme’s history. Poland is the 19th global operator of the type.

With deliveries expected to begin in 2028, the Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) is already training pilots and maintainers on eight AH-64Ds leased from the US Army.

Through an offset agreement announced last year between Boeing and the Polish MND, local industry will play a key role in performing maintenance and support of the Polish Apache fleet. Boeing will also establish training programmes in Poland and help develop a composite laboratory.

“This important agreement allows us to begin building one of the largest and most formidable Apache fleets that the world has ever seen,” Christina Upah, vice president of Boeing’s attack helicopter programmes, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “Working closely with the Polish Armed Forces, we’re focused on disciplined execution to help enhance Poland’s defense capabilities and keep up with the strong demand for the most advanced attack helicopter.”