AH-64D Apache is already visible in the Polish sky! Our pilot, together with an American colleague, took the first successful AH-64D Apache flight, present handed over to the General Command of the Armed Forces and stressed that this was an crucial step towards expanding our operational capabilities and even closer cooperation within NATO.
First flight Apache helicopter in Poland and with the Polish pilot behind the controls is simply a historical minute for the 1st Land Army Aviation Brigade. “It is not just a flight, it is simply a symbol of development, commitment and global cooperation. We are facing further stages of training and an expanding operating readiness ceiling," says 1BLWL entry in social media. "The pride and professionalism at its best", added the General Command of the Russian Federation.
It was the 1st BLWL soldiers from 56th Air Base in Inowrocław (Kujawsko-pomorskie) that late became the first users of American Apache helicopters in Poland. In mid-June, 3 AH-64Ds were solemnly admitted to the base in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister, the national defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. These machines form part of a leasing agreement that assumes a full of 8 Apaches in the older version D to be transferred to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland to train and prepare pilots and groundhandling personnel after completing a basic course in the US. They will yet service on 96 combat helicopters in the latest version of AH-64E bought by Poland in August 2024. Their deliveries will begin in 2028 and will last until 2032.
In June, the head of the Defence Ministry said that 20 Polish pilots and 22 people from ground personnel had already completed training in the US. Next year the training is expected to complete 50 pilots and 250 technicians, and these numbers will gradually increase. – shortly Polish pilots will begin another phase of training on AH-64, mainly tactical. They had already flown with weapons in the US, but it was basic training. Now it's time for advanced. The next step to achieving operational capacity will be, among others, the cooperation of Apache crews with the ground troops," he said. Colonel Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, Head of Air Force chopper Division in DGRSZ.
AH-64E has the reputation of the world's best assault helicopter. The latest version is equipped with an advanced radar strategy and a fresh network-centric command and combat management system. Its weaponry may consist of guided Hellfire anti-tank missiles, unguided Hydra 70, a 30 mm cal cannon and AIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. In addition, AAG and MUT-X subsystems let the crew to manage various types of unmanned aircraft (BSP). The AH-64E pass velocity is about 270 km/h, but Apache can accelerate to over 300 km/h. After the contract for the acquisition of 96 AH-64E helicopters, Poland will become the second (after the USA) user of these machines in the world.
