US approves Poland’s request to purchase Apache helicopters for $12 billion

Europe, News, US August 24, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation announced that the State Department has approved Poland’s request to purchase $12 billion worth of Apache helicopters. The huge deal comes at a time when Poland is bolstering its defense lines amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The Polish Ministry of National Defense sent a letter to the U.S. government nearly a year ago asking to buy Boeing-made helicopters for its armed forces. If the deal follows through, Poland will receive 96 units of Apache AH-64 attack helicopters from the U.S.

Poland is desperately seeking Apache helicopters to replace its Soviet-era fleet of aging attack helicopters. Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak confirmed the approval of the sales on social media stating that “until the procedures are completed and the purchased helicopters are delivered to Poland, the US Army will provide us with Apache helicopters from its own resources.”

The U.S. State Department said that the sale “will improve Poland’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force that is capable of deterring adversaries and participating in NATO operations.”

The U.S. has been supporting Poland’s military modernization efforts. In April, Poland signed a $4.75 billion contract with the U.S. to purchase 250 Abrams M1A2 tanks. A subsequent deal was also signed between the U.S. and Poland for an unspecified number of tanks worth $1.4 billion.

*^{U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. (Image Credit: U.S. Army)}*

After approving the request for the helicopter sales, the State Department notified Congress for further action. If the deal gets the green light from the U.S. Congress, Poland will begin contract negotiations with the producers and suppliers. The contract negotiations might take more than a year and result in a purchase agreement.

Being at the forefront of NATO’s eastern flank and sharing borders with Ukraine, Poland is currently bolstering its arsenal with active procurement efforts. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Warsaw has ramped up its military acquisitions while supplying crucial weapons to Ukraine for its defense. The Polish government has raised defense spending to first 3% and then 4% of GDP, the highest relative level for any NATO member state. Poland has also signed deals with South Korea to acquire new tanks, missiles, and fighter jets.

Poland has been one of the most vocal European countries against the Russian invasion, urging other Western allies to send weapons to Ukraine. Poland was the first country to pledge Leopard-2 tanks for Ukraine which played a major in Ukraine’s counteroffensive. As soon as Germany allowed European states to send German-made tanks to Ukraine, Poland announced the delivery of the tanks.

*^{Polish air and SBAD units testing their readiness and interoperability with NATO allies during exercise Anakonda 2023. (Image Credit: NATO AIRCOM/Twitter)}*

Apart from Poland, several other European allies have shown interest in acquiring U.S. weaponry and the demand is centered around munitions, air defenses, communications equipment, shoulder-fired Javelin missiles, and drones which have proven critical to Ukraine’s war efforts. The extensive use of U.S.-made weapons and defense systems would significantly increase interoperability among the NATO forces.