Poland has signed a $10 billion agreement with Boeing to purchase 96 Apache attack helicopters, marking a significant upgrade to its military capabilities. The deal, announced on Tuesday, is part of Poland’s accelerated modernization of its armed forces in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“This is a landmark acquisition for Poland’s armed forces,” said Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz at the Inowroclaw air base, where the helicopters will be stationed. He described the purchase as a “milestone in the transformation and equipping of the army.”
The Apache deal is the latest in a series of military contracts between Poland and the United States, following agreements to acquire AIM-120C AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and Patriot air defense systems.
Poland, a key NATO ally on the eastern flank, plans to spend more than four percent of its GDP on defense this year, double NATO’s target. The Apache helicopters will complement Poland’s fleet of Abrams tanks, enhancing the country’s military operations.
The agreement also includes maintenance equipment, training support, flight simulators, and spare parts. Deputy Defence Minister Pawel Bejda called the deal “insurance for our country, the insurance of our freedom,” emphasizing its role in deterring potential threats.
The first helicopters are expected to be delivered in 2028, with some Polish pilots already undergoing training on the Apaches. The new helicopters will replace Poland’s aging fleet of Russian-made Mi-24s.
