Kielce 2023-09-11
Boeing AH-64 Apache for Poland.
On September 8, 2022 (Thursday), Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak announced that the Republic of Poland has submitted an official inquiry to the United States regarding the purchase of 96 Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters. Negotiations began, fortunately without the participation of the Polish-language media, which prefer to remain silent after the aggression of the tsar – comrade – the bandit Putin on sovereign Ukraine on February 24, 2022. In January 2023, the Ministry of National Defense announced that the helicopters would first go to the 18th Mechanized Division. Lt. Gen. Tadeusz Buk. It should be emphasized here that this unit will also be equipped with American Abrams tanks. Tanks and helicopters are designed to cooperate with each other. 116 Abrams tanks are scheduled to appear in Poland in 2023 and will be stationed in the 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade. It is also known that Poland would like to temporarily adopt AH-64 Apache helicopters, which are in the US reserves, before we receive new helicopters. This will speed up the time needed to achieve combat readiness of the Polish Army with the new equipment.
Boeing AH-64 E Apache Guardian.
Poland submitted an option for the latest version of the AH-64 E Apache Guardian. The AH-64 E helicopter was formerly known as the AH-64 D Block III. In 2012, the designation was changed to AH-64 E Guardian. The machine features improved digital connectivity, the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, more powerful T700-GE-701D engines with an improved final drive to operate with greater power, new rotor blades, the ability to control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), full IFR capability and improved chassis. New composite rotor blades completed testing in 2004. They increase cruise speed, rate of climb and payload.
Deliveries of the new AH-64 E helicopters began in November 2011. In addition, it was decided to bring the already built AH-64 D helicopters to the AH-64 E standard. By April 2020, 500 AH-64 E units had been delivered.
Already in 2015, work was underway in the USA on a new attack helicopter, the program of which was designated Future Vertical Lift (FVL). These helicopters are to replace AH-64 helicopters in the future by 2040. It was decided to introduce new modifications. The first change is without new engines. A retractable landing gear and smaller wings with attachments for weapons were proposed. The tail rotor is to be new and will rotate during flight to increase the maximum speed. In October 2016, the US Army stated that it would no longer modify AH-64 helicopters that are in service and would focus on a new design. It was announced that the AH-64 E helicopter production line will be closed in 2026. The new FVL helicopter is scheduled to enter service in 2030.
Power is provided by two General Electric T700-GE-701 turbine engines, each rated at 1,690 shp (1,260 kW) upgraded to 1,890 shp (1,409 kW) T700-GE-701C for the AH-64A/D from 1990).
Data T-T Boeing AH-64 Apache:
The crew consists of two pilots in a tandem cabin and each of them can pilot the helicopter. Length 58 feet 2 inches (17.73 m). Helicopter fuselage length 49 feet 5 inches (15.06 m). Height 12 feet 8 inches (3.87 m). Curb weight 11,387 lb (5,165 kg). Gross weight 17,650 lb (8,006 kg). Maximum takeoff weight 23,000 pounds (10,433 kg). Main rotor diameter 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m). Main rotor area 1,908.5 square feet (177.31 m2). 4-blade rotor and 4-blade tail rotor. Maximum speed 158 knots (182 mph, 293 km/h). Cruising speed 143 knots (165 mph, 265 km/h). Range 257 nautical miles (296 mi, 476 km) with Longbow radar mast. Combat range 260 nautical miles (300 mi, 480 km). Crossing range 1,024 nautical miles (1,178 miles, 1,896 km). Service ceiling 20,000 feet (6,100 m).
Contract for Boeing AH-64 E Apache Guardian helicopters.
By modern standards, the period from September 8, 2022, to August 22, 2023, is an extremely short time for negotiations on such a large contract, i.e. the purchase of 96 Boeing AH-64 E Apache helicopters. But if you look at the ongoing war in Ukraine, it was necessary. On August 22, 2023, the US Administration agreed to the sale of 96 helicopters to Poland.
Already on May 5, 2023, Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak (who was then in the US in Washington) announced that the US would make Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters available to Poland from its resources. This will happen before the first new AH-64 E Apache helicopters enter the Polish Army. There was talk of 8 AH-64 Apache helicopters, which are to strengthen the defense of the "Brzeska Gate". The first training of Polish pilots began in September 2023, and the helicopters were planned to be delivered in January 2024.
Information about the purchase of helicopters for the Polish Army was confirmed by the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The contract was valued at US$12 billion. The purchase of Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters took place as part of the Polish "Kruk" attack helicopter acquisition program. The amount given is the maximum amount, which also includes training, logistic support, initial maintenance, spare engines, observation and targeting systems, support for the US Foreign Military Sales program and all elements that a given country may need. Thanks to this, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) does not have to ask the US Congress for additional consent. The contract calls for 210 T700-GE 701D engines, including 192 installed units (2 per helicopter) and 18 spare units.
Additionally, we will acquire 97 AN/ASQ-170 optoelectronic observation and targeting systems with a modernized AN/AAR-11 night observation system (M-TADS/PNVS) (96 on helicopters and one spare). 37 AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radar stations (36 installed and one spare). 96 AN/APR-48B MRFI radar threat warning systems (interferometers). 102 AN/AAR-57 infrared-guided anti-aircraft missile warning systems (96 installed and 6 spare). 204 VHF/UHF AN/ARC-231A RT-1987 radios (192 installed and 12 spare).
The contract includes extensive armament: 1,844 AGM-114R2 Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles and 96 training missiles. M36E8 Hellfire CATM (Captive Air Training Missiles). 460 AGM-179A JAGM (Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles) anti-tank guided missiles. 508 Stinger 92K Block I air-to-air missiles (American equivalent of the Polish Piorun missile). 7,650 WGU-59/B APKWS-II (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II) laser guidance modules.
The agreement also covers a number of other devices and services, such as: Radar signal detection detectors. Laser radiation detection detectors. Intrinsic-foreign system transponders (IFF). Data transmission modems. Link 16 terminals. Flare and dipole launchers. ADF automatic on-board radio direction finders (radio compass). Doppler radars for speed measurement. Radio altimeters. Tactical air navigation (TACAN) sets. Satellite navigation receivers (GPS). Cryptographic devices. Rocket launchers. Elements of the control and communication system with MUMT unmanned vehicles. Training devices. Communication systems. Helmets. Simulators. Generators. Rescue equipment for crews. Transport and organizational equipment. Spare parts. Instructions and teaching aids. Tools and test equipment.
The Boeing AH-64 Apache is the most advanced and versatile attack helicopter in the world, ensuring full interoperability for Poland with the US Army and NATO countries. It should be remembered that Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters can work very well with Abrams tanks, which were also purchased by Poland.
The contract is also beneficial to the US "because it supports the foreign policy and national security goals of the United States by increasing the security of a NATO ally that works for political stability and economic progress in Europe."
Additionally, it should be remembered that for the purchase of 96 Boeing AH-64 E Apache helicopters for Poland, we will pay less than the above-mentioned USD 12 billion. Other contracts already signed may be a good example. The DSCA agency valued the M1A2 Abrams tanks purchased by Poland at US$6 billion, and ultimately we spent US$4.75 billion on tanks, i.e. 21% less. In turn, the price of the WSB F-35 A dropped from US$6.5 billion to US$4.6 billion, i.e. by 29%. The difference was even greater in the case of 20 M142 HIMARS launchers. From the initial amount of $0.65 billion US, the price dropped to $0.41 billion US. In turn, the initial value of the contract for the Patriot system is US$10.5 billion, and ultimately, as part of the first phase of the Wisła program, we will pay the US a price of US$4.75 billion.
Let us also remember that the new Boeing helicopters will replace the Mil Mi-24D and Mil Mi-24W helicopters, which have not had guided weapons for many years and their combat value is minimal.
But let’s be under no illusions. Freemasonry in Poland stated that the purchase was controversial. They clung to everything; the number of helicopters, the value of the contract, mindlessly raising money for Americans and that in 10-15 years these machines will only be suitable for scrap. Many of them believed that obtaining 48 copies or even 32 copies would be enough for us.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman