Offset for Polish Apaches Next Month [EXCLUSIVE]

As we have unofficially learned, talks on the main offset agreement related to the Apache are being ”finalised” and everything is „going in the right direction”. The offset agreement is to be related with purchase of 96 AH-64Es by Poland, the maximum number announced back in September 2022. This will not be the first offset agreement related to this purchase. In September 2023, offset agreement was signed giving Polish industry the ability to service and repair radars and the missile guidance system. It was signed with Lockheed Martin, a supplier of various components for the AH-64.

Now, the most important offset agreement - most likely - should be signed with the Boeing company, the manufacturer of the Apache, and will include the capability to support the operation of the helicopters themselves. It too is expected to be linked to the purchase of 96 helicopters. Presumably, a third offset agreement with General Electric is also expected to be concluded in the near future, concerning capabilities to support the engines - not only those used in the Apache, but also other new-generation platforms being introduced into the Polish Army Aviation.

As we have learned, talks related to the leasing of older AH-64D Apache helicopters, on which Polish crews and ground personnel could train before the arrival of the objective AH-64E Apache Guardian aircraft over the Vistula, are also expected to move in the right direction. These, in turn, should appear between 2028 and 2032; the G2G agreement being prepared, planned to be signed once the offset agreements have been finalised, is for 96 aircraft.

The Apache talks are expected to take so long because the Polish side wants to ’iron out all the elements« involved in the proceedings, such as the training package or infrastructure. Until now, these were supposed to be underdetermined.