At the end of November 2025, Boeing was officially awarded the contract to produce the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter for international customers. The contract, executed under a Foreign Military Sales programme supervised by the US Army, includes ninety-six examples of the rotorcraft for the Polish Armed Forces and is valued at nearly USD 4.7 billion.
Delivery of the AH-64E helicopters to Poland is expected to begin in 2028. The country will become the nineteenth global operator of the Apache and – once the contract is completed – will possess the largest fleet outside the United States.
“This important agreement allows us to begin building one of the largest and most formidable Apache fleets the world has ever seen,” said Christina Upah, Vice President of Boeing’s Attack Helicopter Programmes. “Working closely with the Polish Armed Forces, we are focused on disciplined execution to help enhance Poland’s defence capabilities and keep up with the strong demand for the world’s most advanced attack helicopter.”
Through an offset agreement announced last year between Boeing and the Polish Ministry of Defence, the country´s industry will play a key role in maintaining and supporting the Apache fleet. Boeing will also establish training programmes and help in the development of a composite laboratory.
While awaiting their new Apache rotorcraft, the Polish Armed Forces have leased eight AH-64D helicopters from the US Army. Assigned to 1. Brygada Lotnictwa Wojsk Lądowych (1st Army Aviation Brigade) headquartered in Inowrocław, the aircraft are being used to train crews and maintainers of the AH-64.
On 30 September 2025, the Apache celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its first flight. The twin-turboshaft attack helicopter was developed by Hughes Helicopters in the early 1970s. Initially known as the Model 77, the rotorcraft was created under a US Army programme aimed at finding the successor to the AH-1 Cobra.
To date, more than 5,000 AH-64 helicopters have been manufactured and delivered to customers worldwide. The US Army, with about 750 examples of the AH-64 in its fleet, is the largest Apache operator. The British Army, with 50 AH-64Es, is the second largest, followed by the Israeli Air Force (48 examples), the Royal Saudi Land Forces (47 examples), and the Egyptian Air Force (46 examples).
Additional information about Poland’s purchase of the AH-64E can also be found in our previous article: Helicopter purchase of the century – 96 AH-64E Apaches for Poland.
Cover photo: Boeing AH-64E Apache, RNLAF (illustrative photo). Information from the Boeing Company press releases were used.
