Poland on Thursday announced plans to buy nearly 100 of Boeing’s [BA] AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
Boeing beat out
Bell’s [TXT] AH-1Z Viper offering to win Poland’s Kruk program to find a replacement for its Mi-24 helicopter fleet.
“Boeing is honored the Government of Poland has selected the AH-64E Apache for the Polish Armed Forces’ new attack helicopter fleet. An Apache selection strengthens U.S-Polish military ties by enhancing interoperability and cooperation between Poland, the U.S. Army and NATO nations. During the procurement process, Boeing established significant cooperative partnerships across Polish government and industry. Our partnership with the Polish Armaments Group in particular will continue to expand as we implement training and sustainment efforts with local industry,” the company write in a statement.
Mariusz Błaszczak, Poland’s deputy prime minister and minister of national defense, announced in a social media post that his government has officially sent an inquiry to the U.S. on plans to acquire 96 AH-64E Guardian helicopters.
Thursday’s announcement represents a significant procurement increase for the Kruk program, which initially included plans to only buy 32 helicopters.
“The Kruk program will serve to replace the aging fleet of 28 Russian Mil Mi-24 helicopters, with the award representing a significant upgrade on both size and capability of the rotorcraft fleet,” analysis firm Jeffries wrote in a report on the proposed deal.
The State Department in June 2021 approved a potential $3.5 billion AH-64E deal with Australia, after the country selected the Apache as its next armed reconnaissance helicopter to replace the country’s Airbus Tiger helicopter (Defense Daily, June 3 2021).