On August 13, the Polish Ministry of National Defense signed a contract with the United States government to acquire 96 AH-64E Apache helicopters.
The procurement is being carried out under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, with an offset agreement that will directly benefit the Polish defense industry, particularly companies within the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ).
The offset providers for this program include prominent American defense firms The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, and General Electric. Under the terms negotiated in the agreements, these companies will transfer specific technologies to two aerospace companies under PGZ. The next step involves the signing of implementation agreements, which will formalize the partnerships between the U.S. firms and the PGZ Group companies.
A key part of this initiative is the establishment of a Support Center for the AH-64E Apache helicopters at Military Aviation Works No. 1 S.A. in Łódź. This center will be equipped to conduct O-level (Organizational), I-level (Intermediate), and D-level (Depot) maintenance for selected helicopter components. Additionally, the center will perform repairs and overhauls of the platform’s specialized equipment, including radar and targeting systems.
In another development, a T700/CT7 Engine Support Center will be set up at the Military Aviation Works No. 1 S.A. branch in Dęblin. This facility will have the capabilities to maintain, repair, and overhaul the T700/CT7 engines, which power the AH-64E Apache helicopters, as well as other helicopters in the Polish Armed Forces’ inventory, such as the AW101, AW149, and Black Hawk.
Moreover, the Military Central Design and Technology Bureau (WCBKT S.A.) in Warsaw, another PGZ Group company, will play a significant role in the project. Ground support equipment produced by WCBKT S.A. will be tested and certified by the manufacturers for compatibility with the AH-64E Apache helicopters. This certification will allow the use of domestically produced equipment in the operational support of the AH-64E Apache fleet by the Polish Armed Forces.
The competencies acquired through these offset commitments will enable PGZ Group companies to fully participate in the lifecycle maintenance and support of the AH-64E Apache helicopters, ensuring the fleet remains operational and effective throughout its service with the Polish Armed Forces.
