Poland to buy 96 Apache Helicopters!
Kraków, Poland, Aug 13 (EFE).-
Poland’s Defense Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, spoke at a press conference on Tuesday about the acquisition of 96 AH-64E Apache combat helicopters, which will replace Soviet-era aircrafts still in operation in its army.
Kosiniak-Kamysz described the agreement as a “milestone in the transformation of the army,” providing the Polish forces with “the most modern helicopter in its latest version,” the minister said.
According to the Minister, the AH-64E is a ground-attack helicopter, the principal support of the ground forces, and a system of coordinated communicating ships.
In addition, the minister pointed out the recent agreement with the United States and said that until the delivery of the 96 helicopters is completed by 2032, the US Army will temporarily lend Poland some of its helicopters to replace the aging Soviet-built Mi-24s, which Poland will phase out gradually.
The aforementioned is one of the most economically significant arms contracts signed by Warsaw in recent years and the most expensive deal with the US, for over 9 billion dollars, along with the purchase of 32 F-35 fighter jets.
The agreement announced on Tuesday includes the aircraft’s maintenance, the supply of spare parts, and a training program for about 400 Polish pilots at US bases, as maintaining an optimal operational status for such a unit requires four pilots per aircraft.
The AH-64E Apache, produced by Boeing, has been the primary attack helicopter used by the US Army since the 1980s.
Since then, more modern and capable versions have been produced, and it is currently capable of carrying a wide range of weapons, including the M230 automatic cannon and Hellfire air-to-ground missiles. EFE
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