East Front News #5: Polish Apache, F-16 in Ukraine and Eastern Dawn

Offset for Polish Apache Mega-Deal

The Ministry of Defence is planning to sign offsets agreements related to Poland’s purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters at the beginning of August, the as Defence24.pl portal has learned unofficially. The agreements in question, related to the purchase of 96 AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters will likely be signed with Boeing (manufacturer of the helicopters) and General Electric (manufacturer of the enignes), the latter allowing Poland not only to maintain the engines of Apaches but also other newly procured helicopters. The closing of final offset agreements (the first were signed back in 2023 with Lockheed Martin) should pave the way to signing a final LOA (FMS Government-to-Government Agreement) for 96 AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters. While the Polish procurement of Apache Guardian is a challenge from training and sustainment point of view, not least due to scope and cost, once concluded, this will provide a qualitative and quantitative leap for the Polish Army Aviation and for the Polish Army as a whole.  

Poland to Procure First Borsuk IFV

As Defence24.pl has unofficially learned, Polish Armament Agency is set to launch negotiations to procure first batch of over 150 Borsuk IFV in August. The framework agreement for the Borsuk IFVs was signed between the Armament Agency and the consortium of Polish Armaments Group and Huta Stalowa Wola at the end of February 2023. It covers over a thousand Borsuk IFVs plus approximately 400 specialized vehicles of various classes based on its chassis. So, the agreement to be negotiated will allow the Polish Armed Forces to receive the first serial deliveries of the vehicle for two to three battalions and to start the process of replacing obsolete BMP-1 in the Mechanized Forces. Borsuk IFV features an amphibious capability and is equipped with modern ZSSW-30 unmanned turret, armed with Bushmaster-II Stretch Mk-44S 30 mm gun (capable of conversion to 40 mm), a Spike-LR ATGM launcher and a coaxial machine gun, with the turret being equipped with advanced Polish-designed Fire Control System and optics enhancing hunter-killer and killer-killer capability. 

Ukraine Received First F-16?

Ukraine likely has received first F-16 multi-role fighter aircraft. While the first batch is from 4-6 up to about a dozen, more are to come in coming months. The jets in question were donated by Netherlands and Denmark. An open question is whether Ukraine will be able to establish a sustainment and support system, necessary for such platforms to be utilized at the battlefield effectively. Nevertheless, there is no other path for Ukraine than changing from Soviet-style to NATO platforms, including fighter aircraft, and the first delivery may constitute an important step here. It is also noteworthy that Ukraine expects to receive Mirage 2000 fighter jets from France, as announced by President Macron. These French aircraft are scheduled to operate over Ukraine next year.

Operations „Safe Podlasie” and „Eastern Dawn” /  „Bezpieczne Podlasie” i „Wschodnia Zorza”

The hybrid actions undertaken by the Russian Federation and Belarus have not gone unanswered by Poland. As of August 1, two operations have commenced to strengthen security in the eastern part of the country. The first operation, „Safe Podlasie,” aims to replace the „Gryf” operation, driven by the need to enhance the effectiveness of the Polish Border Guard. Up to 17,000 Polish soldiers are expected to be involved. The second operation, „Eastern Dawn,” seeks to improve Poland’s air defence in light of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which significantly increases the risk of airspace violations.

Israel, Lebanon, and Iran – Awaiting Actions

There is significant tension in Warsaw as the rivalry between Israel and Hezbollah, along with Hamas, intensifies. Additionally, Iran’s involvement and threats to Lebanon make the likelihood of open conflict increasingly probable. Polish citizens are advised against traveling to the region, and the prolonged rivalry is seen as a precursor to potential humanitarian catastrophe. Poland continues to support a two-state solution concerning Israel and Palestine while opposing the activities of terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah. It is important to note that Poland’s involvement in the Middle East is one of the most prominent among Central and Eastern European countries.

East Front News is a weekly newsletter and article on Defence24.com summarizing the past week’s most important events concerning security and the situation in the Central and Eastern Europe region. It includes original opinions and comments, along with key news items significant from a Polish perspective. If you would like to receive this newsletter, please sign up by clicking HERE

Jakub Palowski, Deputy Ed. in Chief & Aleksander Olech, PhD