US Approves $12 Billion Sale of Apache Helicopters and Missiles to Poland

The US State Department has granted approval for the potential sale of AH-64E Apache helicopters and missiles to Poland, totaling $12 billion. 

This information is reported by RMF24.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security goals of the United States by enhancing the security of a NATO ally working towards political stability and economic progress in Europe," stated the US State Department.

It is noted that Poland has made strengthening its armed forces a priority following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Specifically, Poland has requested 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related equipment, including 1,844 Hellfire missiles, 460 Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM), and 508 Stinger missiles.

Despite the State Department's approval, the announcement does not mention the signing of a contract or the completion of negotiations. The final decision will soon need to be approved by the US Congress.

The potential sale of 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to Poland, along with associated armaments, was also reported by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), under the Pentagon's authority.

It was also revealed that the primary contractors for the weapons supply are Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

It's worth noting that the intention to purchase 96 Apache helicopters was expressed by the Ministry of Defense last year. Following a meeting with the US Secretary of Defense in May of this year, Poland's Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak stated that the United States would provide Poland with Apache helicopters from its own resources prior to the contract being signed for their procurement.

"Why are the Apaches important? Because they work excellently with Abrams tanks, because they will go to the eastern flank of NATO, to the 18th Mechanized Division, to the 1st Air Force Brigade, to jointly close the 'Brest Gates'," the Polish Minister explained.

As reported by The Gaze, after an 18-year hiatus, Poland's Armed Forces will establish a rocket artillery unit. This announcement was made by Poland's Minister of Defense Mariusz Blaszczak during a ceremony commemorating the decision to create the "HIMARS Academy" and the 1st Rocket Brigade.

In 2005, Poland disbanded its last brigade equipped with "Tochka" missiles, which had a range of 70 kilometers. Now, the Polish army will have access to the HIMARS rocket system, capable of hitting targets up to 300 kilometers away, making it an effective means of deterring aggressors, including countering potential Russian incursions.

It was also previously reported that Poland's Minister of Defense Mariusz Blaszczak decided to redeploy military formations from the west to the east of the country due to potential threats associated with the presence of the Wagner Group in Belarus.

Poland's Ministry of Defense expressed concern over the situation and stated that they would closely monitor further developments to ensure the security of the country's borders.