Poland Leases Eight Apache Attack Helicopters from the US for $300 Million

Poland has signed a deal to lease eight US AH-64D Apache attack helicopters worth $300 million, the Polish Ministry of Defence has announced.  

On 27 February, Minister of National Defence Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz signed a package of necessary agreements in the presence of representatives of the US side and Boeing.  

The contract provides not only for the leasing of the helicopters but also for the full cycle of their operation, including training of Polish personnel throughout the entire period of use.  

The leased AH-64Ds will help Polish pilots and ground staff to master the equipment while the country awaits delivery of the previously ordered AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters.  

The helicopters will be handed over to the First Army Aviation Brigade, where intensive training for pilots, technicians and support staff will begin.  

Some Polish pilots and engineers have already completed training courses in the United States and will be among the instructors.

As The Gaze previously reported, Poland and Slovakia have agreed to expand cooperation in the defence industry, particularly in the production of 155mm shells. Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the agreement covers four areas of cooperation. In particular, Slovakia is interested in purchasing Polish man-portable air defence systems Piorun.