AH-64D Apache Helicopters Arrive in Poland - A Strategic Leap for Land Forces Aviation

On June 17, 2025, the Polish Armed Forces officially received the first AH-64D Apache helicopters during a ceremony held in Inowrocław, marking a pivotal moment in the modernization of Poland’s rotary-wing capabilities. These aircraft are being delivered under a fast-tracked leasing agreement with the United States, supplementing the landmark 2024 contract for 96 AH-64E Apache Guardians.

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17 june 2025 | 21:57 | Source: Gazeta Morska | Prepared by: Kamil Kusier | Print

fot. plut. Wojciech Król / MON

The leased AH-64D helicopters will serve primarily as training platforms for Polish aircrews and ground personnel, enabling rapid development of operational competencies ahead of the full-scale delivery of the more advanced AH-64E variant. The aircraft are assigned to the 1st Army Aviation Brigade, where pilot and maintenance training will be conducted with the support of Polish instructors trained in the United States.

- This is one of the fastest-executed defense procurement programs in the history of the Polish Armed Forces, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. - Poland is a front-line state, and the threat from the East is real. Our response must be immediate and strategic. The Apache program strengthens not only our military capabilities but also supports domestic defense industry through offset commitments, including servicing and modernization of the helicopters by Polish facilities.

The leasing deal follows the August 13, 2024 agreement with the United States for the purchase of 96 AH-64E Apache helicopters, including comprehensive training and logistics packages. Until full delivery of the E-model Apaches is complete, the leased D-model helicopters will provide Poland with a critical capability bridge, ensuring operational readiness from day one.

Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the importance of interoperability across allied systems.

- Apache helicopters will seamlessly integrate with Abrams tanks and F-35 fighters, creating a real-time data exchange network on the battlefield. This is a textbook example of modern, network-centric warfare, said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

With the introduction of the AH-64E, Poland will become the second-largest Apache operator globally, after the United States – a clear signal of its commitment to NATO readiness and regional defense posture. The strategic partnership also includes industrial cooperation, with intentions to establish joint ventures and explore future investments in Ukraine’s reconstruction and security framework.

The arrival of Apache helicopters marks not only a technological advancement for Poland’s land forces but also underlines Warsaw’s role as a proactive and reliable NATO ally. It reflects a comprehensive vision of defense modernization, alliance integration, and forward-looking industrial policy.

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