Poland signs leasing of Boeing's Apache attack helicopters

Poland's defence budget has allocated $300 million for leasing Apache attack helicopters from the US Air Force, in addition to the previously announced $10 billion purchase of such equipment.

This was announced on February 27 by the Polish Minister of Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Caliber.Az reports citing Polish media.

"We are leasing eight Apache attack helicopters in the D version so that our soldiers can gain experience and be fully prepared for the arrival of the new machines ordered by Poland. That is why we are taking them on lease today, allocating $300 million so that our pilots and ground personnel can study and master all the necessary skills and take control of this equipment," the minister said.

Kosiniak-Kamysz, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister of the country, has signed a package of agreements at the 56th Air Base in Inowrocław in central Poland, initiating the process of leasing eight of these twin-turboshaft attack helicopters, which are manufactured by aviation giant Boeing. He stated that he is optimistic that in June "or at the latest in September" Poland will receive the aircraft.

Poland signed on August 13 its Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for the purchase of 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters for the Polish Land Forces, worth $10 billion. The deal was to support Poland’s military buildup and allow for the replacement of aging post-Soviet Mi-24 Hind helicopters. The minister further predicted, that the leased helicopters will reach Poland before the batch of 96.

"The acquisition of these helicopters will provide a necessary interim solution until the new AH-64E Apache helicopters are put into operation," the statement said.

"The AH-64E Apache attack helicopters ordered by Poland will provide the air force with entirely new combat capabilities in terms of target engagement and reconnaissance. This is also one of the key steps in modernizing and developing the helicopter aviation of the Polish Armed Forces. Poland will become the second-largest operator of these helicopters in the world, after the United States," the Ministry of Defense emphasized.

By Nazrin Sadigova