When will Leasing and Purchase of Polish Apache Take Place?

„The main element related to the signing of the main contract has just been fulfilled. Earlier we signed the offset agreement with Lockheed Martin, and today with GE and Boeing. I think the next few days will be the time when it will be determined when the main contract will be signed.”

Number of helicopters to be purchased

„(The planned - Editor’s note) number of Apaches is adequate to the needs of our Armed Forces and to the threats we face. These threats have not changed. The official information will be on the day the contract is signed.” - said Brig. Gen. Artur Kuptel, head of the Armament Agency, when asked about the number of AH-64s to be eventually purchased. As is known, the purchase plans were for 96 helicopters of this type plus associated equipment, and a training and logistics package.

The older AH-64D Apache should soon be leased in Poland. In this context, there has long been talk of eight units, which could be used to quickly train Polish crews and ground personnel. So that they could then efficiently take over factory-new helicopters. „Both the offset agreement and the main agreement are linked to leasing. The signing of the offset agreements enables the signing of the main contract, and this further enables the signing of the Apache AH-64D leasing contract. (…) This will follow in quick succession. It will be maybe not the next few days but a few weeks. We hope to have the first lease units later this year, as declared,” - General Kuptel said.

Delivery date

The objective helicopters purchased, on the other hand, are expected to arrive between 2028 and 2029. „The first helicopters purchased should be in 2028, and in terms of being able to fully utilise them, it will be 2029. On the other hand, we are working hard with a foreign partner from the United States to make it as soon as possible,” - said the general which may suggest that Poland will seek to accelerate deliveries.

Armament

Poland is also to buy a large number of armaments for the AH-64E. „As far as the plans are concerned, until we sign the contract, we do not disclose the amount of armaments. (…) But they will be quantities adequate to what is happening now in our country. As far as the helicopters are concerned, even the forthcoming agreement will include certain quantities of armaments, which will be automatically delivered to Poland along with the helicopters,” informed Gen. Kuptel.