In a significant milestone for Poland’s defense capabilities, an offset agreement for the acquisition of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters has been officially signed. The agreement was approved on Monday, September 25, with the Ministry of Defense at Boeing’s headquarters in Mesa, USA, marking a crucial step in Poland’s efforts to enhance its national security. The sale of 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to Poland had previously received approval from the US State Department on June 9 of this year. To bridge the gap until the purchased helicopters are delivered, the United States Army has committed to providing Poland with Apache helicopters from its own resources. This arrangement will significantly bolster Poland’s ability to deter potential aggressors. The offset agreement encompasses two commitments valued at approximately 300 million PLN, to be fulfilled within a span of five years. The principal contractors will be Boeing, Mesa, AZ, and Lockheed Martin, Orlando, FL.
Poland’s request for the acquisition includes a comprehensive package of equipment and support:
96 AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters.
37 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) Mast Mounted Assembly (MMA).
37 Longbow Fire Control Radar (FCR) Radar Electronic Units (REU).
96 AN/APR-48B Modernized Radar Frequency Interferometers (MRFI).
102 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS).
1,844 AGM-114R2 Hellfire Missiles.
96 M36E8 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM).
460 AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM).
508 Stinger 92K Block I Missiles.
7,650 WGU-59/B Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS-II) Guidance Sections (GS).
Military Aviation Plant No. 1 in Lódz will play a crucial role in servicing the radars onboard Apache helicopters and the missile guidance systems. This offset agreement represents the first step in a series of agreements, in compliance with Polish law, as negotiations for the acquisition of the 96 Apache attack helicopters continue. It is expected that the executive contract will be signed later this year, with delivery dates aimed for as soon as possible. Minister Mariusz Blaszczak emphasized the importance of these helicopters in bolstering Poland’s defense posture. Polish pilots are already undergoing training in the United States, preparing to operate these advanced helicopters, which will be assigned to the 18th Mechanized Division. Their primary mission will be to fortify the “Brest Gate,” working alongside Abrams tanks to safeguard Poland’s eastern flank.
The acquisition of 96 Apache helicopters, combined with the strategic placement of US Army resources in Poland, reflects a commitment to deterring potential threats in the region. The Ministry of Defense and the Polish Armed Forces are dedicated to ensuring that Poland’s military capabilities remain robust and aligned with the highest global standards. This acquisition represents a significant shift away from outdated post-Soviet designs, providing Poland with state-of-the-art military assets. The offset agreement includes provisions for support, repair, and maintenance capabilities for critical helicopter components used in combat and reconnaissance, such as guidance and target indication systems. These capabilities will enable the Polish defense industry to diagnose and address potential malfunctions and conduct partial servicing of LONGBOW fire control radars. This will ensure that the Apache helicopters maintain a high level of operational readiness throughout their service with the Polish Armed Forces.
