Purchase of 96 AH-64E helicopters by Poland Apache, now the world's most modern impact whirlplanes, has a symbolic dimension for many reasons. First of all, this proves how crucial we are to the United States, due to the fact that no another country has been allowed to get as many Apaches with missiles. Secondly, the combat chopper aviation of Polish land troops yet “puts the post-Soviet method on the shelf” and reaches for a construction that will carry its operational capabilities into the 21st century. The initialling of the contract means, however, that the biggest challenge of getting the Apaches is inactive ahead of us. The Polish army must now prepare to accept the immense service, looking at its history, the number of impact helicopters and train them with a adequate number of pilots and ground personnel.
For many years, the main force of chopper aircraft of the ground troops were regiments located in Pruszcz Gdańsk and Inowrocław. The primary weapons of these units were Mi-24 helicopters in 2 versions: D and W. Experts emphasize that Mi-24 is 1 of the best, if not the best combat chopper developed during the Cold War at the ZSRS. This device was distinguished by its incredible opposition to fire, and apart from having quite a few firepower, it could have taken on board a large landing organization – 8 soldiers. The best evidence of her ability was that even a decade ago, about 50 nations in the planet were armed with specified equipment.
Unfortunately, the past of both Polish regiments equipped with Mi-24 shows that After we entered NATO the Ministry of Defence, the General Staff of the Polish Army and the command of the ground troops focused on the improvement of armoured and mechanized troops, and on the modernization of artillery and anti-aircraft sub-units, leaving combat chopper aviation on the sidelines, looking at this structure primarily through the cost prism.
In the early 21st century, I witnessed the conversation of the then commander of land troops, General Edward Pietrzyk, with his subordinate officers about the request to introduce budgetary savings. The general asked for a list of the units that cost the most maintenance, looked at her and predicted that she would most likely come to take out 1 of the combat chopper regiments. Why? due to the fact that they were the first 2 places in this list.
The financial approach of decision-makers to the conflict chopper regiments was best seen in 2010, erstwhile the stock of guided rockets, retrieved together with post-enerdowskie Mi-24, which went to Poland after German unification, ran out. The Ministry of National Defence then decided not only that we would not buy more, but besides that we would not modernize helicopters so they could usage different types of missiles. MON and SGWP argued that firstly there was no money for it, and secondly in about a decade we would like to buy fresh strike helicopters.
Tank Destroyer
What? 20, 15, and 10 years ago, the pilots of the ground troops had no uncertainty about the helicopter's dreams. American Apache They were then, and they are besides today, the most modern combat whirlplanes in the world. Yes, Mi-24 impressed with armor and opposition to direct hits, but the firepower of AH-64 was striking. Thanks to the advanced radar, these machines were able to track the mark from very far away, and before he realized what was going on, they sent a laser-guided, deadly rocket to its direction.
A decade ago, however, no 1 in the Polish Army believed that AH-64 would replace Mi-24. Why? First of all, our defence budget at the time did not let us to measurement the acquisition plan of about 30 helicopters of this type, and so much would be needed to replace the withdrawn post-Soviet payoffs. Another issue was whether the American administration would agree to specified a large transfer of this advanced weapon to Poland.
With this in mind, I think that if I went back in time until 2012 and in the pages of the “Polish Armed Forces” I told the soldiers that in 12 years we would not buy thirty, but almost a 100 Apaches in their latest version, along with a package of rocket weapons, would simply consider me crazy and losing my wage would be the mildest form of punishment.
It is. We bought the first AH-64 to come to us in 2028 – although Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish announces that earlier We're outsizing 8 machines.so our pilots and service can already usage them and train for them.
Meet the challenge
I believe that it is precisely the preparation of the essential human resource – pilots and method services – that will be the biggest challenge of the Apache contract. The numbers here are ruthless. Up to 96 helicopters we request about 400 pilots – 2 double crews for each, and respective 1000 maintenance personnel.
We request to truly think about where we're gonna get these people. An apparent starting point is the Inowrocław unit. However, even if we accept that Mi-24 pilots will pass a 100 percent course for fresh equipment, we have only about 30 percent of Apache crews secured. And the rest?
Someone will rightly announcement that for this we have Dęblin and the aviation school there to educate fresh pilots. The problem is that the current maximum "efficiency" Military Academy of Aviation are about 50 chopper pilots a year. So if we want to prepare the Apache staff in time, we must increase this number at least twice as shortly as possible.
I think we're dealing with the biggest problem here. Even if we stand on our head and buy all the essential trainers, simulators, etc. within a year, we inactive request individual to train for a chopper pilot in Dęblin. A pilot can't be any willing soldier. You request not only horse health, but besides predisposition. I'm afraid we'll find adequate Apache pilots in the army. And if we don't, we must have a truly good plan on how to get the right people into the army.
For the second group of people needed to bring Apaches into service, or technicians, the situation is somewhat better and simpler. First of all, due to the fact that the basis of service is civil. Yes, it may be hard to get them out of the labour market, but MON has large opportunities to prepare peculiar employment conditions for them – as in cyber troops, for example.
Bottom line: purchase of 96 Apache helicopters He will surely change Polish land troops, giving them fresh opportunities and abilities. It will besides force a change to the military's procurement and training strategy for the army of highly qualified specialists. And you just gotta keep your fingers crossed to make this change happen as shortly as possible.
