Poland inks $10B deal to purchase 96 Apache attack helicopters from US

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Poland has inked a $10 billion deal to purchase 96 latest model AH-64 Apache helicopters from the US, local media reported on Tuesday.

Speaking at a signing ceremony at 56th Air Base in the central city of Inowroclaw, Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said: “The deal represents a ground-breaking advancement in the capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces particularly regarding the collaboration between the land forces and the air forces,” said the state-run PAP news agency.

Saying the deal includes the purchase of most advanced version of the most modern attack helicopters in the world, he added that supporting the ground troops will be primary missions of the copters, which will be employed by the land forces.

The purchase of the 96 Apaches in the Guardian version was originally announced in 2022 by Mariusz Blaszczak, then-defense minister.

Last week, offset agreements were signed with Boeing and General Electric providing for, among other things, service and renovation of some helicopter parts in Polish plants.

According to Poland's Armament Agency, initial deliveries of the helicopters are scheduled for 2028.