We already have 7 of the 8 AH-64D Apache helicopters in Inowrocław, which are delivered to the Polish Army as part of the lease – present Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz reported. As he added, the timely transportation of machines gives the warrant that training of Polish soldiers, pilots and technicians will be carried out according to the schedule.
Delivery of another Apache chopper to 56 Air Base is an effect lease agreement worth PLN 300 millionwhich assumes the transportation of 8 second-hand AH-64 helicopters in the older Delta version. The first 4 landed under Inowrocław in June 2025, and two more months later. "Delty" is intended to service pilots and SIL soldiers (engineering and aircraft service) by 2028, erstwhile ordered AH-64E helicopters are to start arriving in Poland.
The Armed Forces Agency purchased 96 specified machines in August 2024, with deliveries scheduled for 2028-2032. Apart from the latest Apaches, the Polish Army will besides receive a logistics and training package and a comprehensive set of combat measures and spare parts. Pending the transportation of AH-64E, more pilots and technicians undergo mandatory training in the U.S., after which they return to the country and gain experience at AH-64D under the supervision of the Americans from the TAFT (Technical Assistance Field Team).
– The helicopters we received are very akin to the Echo version. Older versions of the AH-64D helicopters had different engines, transmission and rotor, but our AH-64D are in a newer configuration and the engine is the same as in Echo. Thanks to this, the performance of helicopters that we have are not very different from those in the latest model – said Major Pil. Mariusz Strzyżewski, commander of the AH-64 chopper squadron of 56 Blot. The difference between the older model and the latest model is, among others, the mounted Fire Control Radar (FCR) radar. In Deltas, its scope is 8 km. FCR in Polish AH-64E is to offer twice the range. “This makes a immense difference and offers incomparable opportunities,” added Major Strzyżewski.
– Modernization of the Polish Army is simply a fresh power of deterrence and defence. It is simply a warrant of a safe and strong Poland – present the Minister of National Defence stressed after transportation of the penultimate Delta. Entrance to Apache service is an epochal change in equipment for chopper aircraft of the Polish Armed Forces. Thanks to the contract, Poland will become the second, after the United States, the largest AH-64 user in the world. The acquisition of the AH-64E fleet is accompanied by systemic changes in the Polish Army, including the introduction of new training of professional sub-commissioners on chopper military pilots. Previously, this function was reserved for soldiers with an officer rank. During a two-year course at the Air Force Academy, pilots will practice in the UK and the USA, among others.
