A huge Polish deal: Poland is preparing to purchase 96 Apache AH-64 attack helicopters made by Boeing. This will make Poland the second largest operator of Apache helicopters in the world after the US military. Apache helicopters will replace 30 old Russian MI-24 attack helicopters.
There is a possibility that the Poles will arm the Apache helicopters with ‘Spike’ missiles made by Rafael, parts of which are produced by a Polish company in cooperation with Rafael. Last year it was reported that an anti-tank battalion of the Polish army is equipped with ‘Spike’ missiles, while in the American army experiments were conducted Rafael ‘Spike’ missiles on Apache helicopters.
WAR ZONE reports that in this way the Polish government continues to carry out many large arms and military equipment deals worth billions, a trend that has strengthened since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Just this year, Poland announced the purchase of 48 light FA-50 fighter jets, 180 K2 tanks from South Korea, 250 Abrams tanks from the USA, and before that it ordered 32 F-35 stealth fighter jets.
The helicopter deal was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Polish Minister of Defense Mariusz Blaszczak during a gathering of the “Ukraine Contact Group”, a group of countries that meet regularly to discuss the situation in the war in Ukraine and ways to aid this country.
Apache helicopters for Poland competed with BELL VIPER AH-1Z helicopters. The Polish minister said that his country will seek to purchase the advanced model of the Apache GUARDIAN.
The Boeing Company welcomed the giant Polish deal, and announced that it is a strengthening of operational cooperation between Poland and the US and NATO members.
The Boeing Company is also interested in supplying the Polish Air Force with heavy transport helicopters of the Chinook model CH-47F to replace old Russian transport helicopters.