Poland has signed a contract to lease eight American AH-64D Apache attack helicopters.

The Polish Defense Ministry’s press service announced this.

On Thursday, February 27, Minister of National Defense Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysh, in the presence of the American side and representatives of Boeing, signed a package of necessary agreements worth $300 million.

The agreements cover not only the leasing of the helicopters themselves but also provide for a comprehensive process of their operation and training of Polish personnel during the period of use.

The leased AH-64Ds will help Polish pilots and ground personnel acquire the skills to operate this equipment until the delivery of the previously ordered AH-64E Apache Guardian combat helicopters, the most advanced version of the AH-64E.

The helicopters will be delivered to the 1st Army Aviation Brigade, where an intensive training process for pilots and technical and support personnel will begin.

The first Polish pilots and engineers have already completed a series of training courses in the United States and will be part of the future instructor staff.

What preceded this?

Last October, the United States provided Poland with a $3.08 billion loan to purchase AH-64E Apache combat helicopters. This loan is provided under the Foreign Military Financing program.

In August, the Polish government signed a contract for the purchase of 96 Apaches along with a package of logistics and training support, as well as weapons and spare parts worth $10 billion.

Poland will receive the first 15 AH-64Es in 2028 and expects to close the contract by 2032. After this procurement, Poland will become the world’s second-largest user of these helicopters after the United States. In January this year, Poland signed an agreement with General Electric to supply 210 T700 engines for these helicopters.

Prior to signing the helicopter purchase agreement, Poland signed a number of contracts for the deployment and development of domestic production and maintenance facilities for AH-64E parts and assemblies. Poland will also be able to train maintenance personnel and assess the condition of the helicopter’s ground infrastructure.

Poland expects that the helicopters will strengthen the combat capabilities of the Army’s aviation. And in general, they will enhance the country’s defense potential.