Thanks to this agreement, Poland will become the second largest user of these advanced machines in the world, after the United States, which involves an expenditure of approximately PLN 40 billion.
Apache for the Polish Army
The contract signing ceremony took place at the 56th Air Base in Inowrocław in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Ministry of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Minister responsible for modernization Paweł Bejda, and U.S. Ambassador to Poland Marek Brzeziński. The agreement is comprehensive and includes, among others: helicopter maintenance equipment, technical support, as well as training of pilots and technical staff, including simulators.
Apache for the Polish Army
Helicopter contract Apache were preceded by offset agreements with American arms giants: Lockheed Martin, Boeing and General Electric Company. These agreements presuppose the transfer of technology and know-how related to the operation and maintenance of combat readiness of helicopters, but only those that will be used by the Polish Army. In 2023, under a previous agreement, the first Polish pilots and engineers completed Apache training in the USA, which prepares them to operate the new equipment.
When will Apaches become part of the Polish Army’s equipment?
The new helicopters will be gradually introduced into the units of the 1st Army Aviation Brigade in 2028-2032, where they will replace the obsolete post-Soviet Mi-24 helicopters. The introduction of the Apache into the Polish armed forces represents a huge technological leap, as these helicopters are considered to be among the best in their class in the world. Thanks to advanced sensors, they can perform both combat and reconnaissance missions.
However, it is important to remember that the purchase and operation of Apache represents a significant cost, estimated at approximately PLN 2 billion per year.
