Apache Along the Polish-Ukraine Border

Poland’s history is a brutal saga of wars and conquest written in the blood and deeds of a proud and strong people fiercely averse to subjugation.

In the last millennium, foreigners have invaded Poland over two-hundred times. Between 1772 and 1918, the nation disappeared altogether, parceled out among the contending empires of Russia, Prussia, and Austria. What was gone from world maps remained vigorously alive in Polish hearts, however, and today’s Poland is an industrialized powerhouse boasting the largest economy in Central Europe and the fifth-largest army in the European Union. That Poland is aware of liberty’s evanescence is evinced by the Polish national anthem, which proclaims, "Jeszcze Polska nie zginela"—Poland has not yet perished.

Protractedly schooled in war and predisposed to the notion that the best defense is an insuperable offense, the Polish military is seeking to purchase no fewer than 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing. The purchase would make Poland’s the second-largest fleet of Apaches in the world—surpassed only by that of the United States.

Developed in the mid-1970s by Hughes Helicopters and steadily improved upon by both McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, the AH-64 Apache is a twin-engine, all-weather, day-and-night-capable, battle-proven, brute of a machine equally adept in the disparate enterprises waylaying its enemies and safeguarding its two-man crews. Modern Apaches feature futuristic sensor arrays by which they ferret out even the wiliest adversaries and bring to bear their M230 chain guns, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and Hydra 70 rocket-pods.

If acquired, Poland's new fleet of Apaches would replace the nation’s outdated, Soviet-designed Mil Mi-24 fleet. Individual Apaches, depending on armament and options, can cost as much as $140-million. What Poland stands to pay for 96 of the helicopters remains to be seen, but Boeing is historically inclined to discounting volume orders of its aircraft.

In a 08 September statement, Boeing put forth: "Boeing is honored the Government of Poland has selected the AH-64E Apache for the Polish Armed Forces’ new attack helicopter fleet. An Apache selection strengthens U.S.-Polish military ties by enhancing interoperability and cooperation between Poland, the U.S. Army, and NATO nations." The statement continued: "During the procurement process, Boeing established significant cooperative partnerships across the Polish government and industry. Our partnership with the Polish Armaments Group, in particular, will continue to expand as we implement training and sustainment efforts with local industry.”

The acquisition of 96 state-of-the-art attack helicopters speaks to the Polish state’s concerns over the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict. Poland, which shares its eastern border with Ukraine, is determined to prevent the spread of hostilities onto its own soil.

FMI: www.boeing.com