Poland’s Ministry of National Defence has finalized a $300 million agreement to lease eight Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters from the United States this year. This move serves as a preparatory step ahead of the country’s acquisition of 96 AH-64E Apaches, which were ordered in August 2024.
During the official signing ceremony held on February 27 at the 56th Aviation Base in Inowrocław, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that the goal is to ready the Polish Air Force for operating a larger Apache fleet, aimed at enhancing its offensive capabilities.
“We expect the first batch of 15 helicopters from the 96-unit order, which cost $10 billion, to arrive in 2028,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said in a statement from the ministry. “This is precisely why we are proceeding with the lease — to invest $300 million now so that our pilots and maintenance crews can familiarize themselves with the aircraft, gain the necessary skills, and take full command of the platform.”
The full delivery of the helicopters, along with associated equipment and weaponry, is expected to be completed by 2032. Once in service, Poland will become the second-largest Apache operator globally, following the United States.
As part of the offset agreements tied to the purchase, Polish defense firms will participate in the maintenance and modernization of the helicopters.
