US boosts Poland's arsenal with $12 Bn Apache and missiles deal.

On August 21, 2023, marking a notable advancement in defense relations, the U.S. State Department authorized a Foreign Military Sale to Poland, estimated at $12.0 billion. The deal allows Poland to procure 96 AH-64E Apache Helicopters, accompanied by a substantial quantity of missiles, including 1,844 Hellfire, 460 JAGM air-to-ground missiles, and 508 air defense missiles. Additionally, the package encompasses 7,650 laser-guided rocket systems.

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 US boosts Poland's arsenal with $12 Billion Apache and missiles deal (Picture source: US Army and Wikimedia)

Within the scope of this agreement, Poland plans to secure 96 AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters. The procurement details encompass 210 T700-GE 701D engines, with 192 earmarked for installation and the remaining 18 as a backup. The equipment list also includes 97 AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors (M-TADS/PNVS), with 96 intended for installation and one as a reserve. Additional components comprise 37 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) Mast Mounted Assembly (MMA), 37 Longbow Fire Control Radar (FCR) Radar Electronic Units (REU), and 96 AN/APR-48B Modernized Radar Frequency Interferometers (MRFI).

The deal also integrates 102 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) to bolster the protection of the helicopters and their crew. The package further includes 204 AN/ARC-231A radios for communication. The extensive list extends to various munitions, such as 1,844 AGM-114R2 Hellfire Missiles, 96 M36E8 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), 460 AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM), 508 Stinger 92K Block I Missiles, and 7,650 WGU-59/B Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS-II) Guidance Sections (GS). Additionally, the package covers radar and detection systems, navigation equipment, missile launchers, ammunition, simulators, and more.

The AH-64E Apache, often referred to as the "Guardian," stands as a versatile combat helicopter with a storied operational legacy. Its design emphasizes both maneuverability and offensive capability, positioning it as a key asset in diverse combat environments. The helicopter's advanced avionic suite promotes heightened situational awareness, empowering pilots to make swift, informed decisions.

A distinguishing feature of the AH-64E is its advanced sensor systems. The Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight combined with the Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) equips the crew with a pronounced edge in target identification and engagement. This ensures the AH-64E's proficiency across varied conditions, be it day, night, or challenging weather. Additionally, its comprehensive electronic warfare systems provide a spectrum of defensive and offensive tools, enhancing the helicopter's resilience in adversarial settings.

The 1,844 AGM-114R2 Hellfire Missile, a pivotal element of the package, is an air-to-surface missile (ASM) first developed for anti-armor use, but later models were developed for precision drone strikes against other target types, and have been used in a number of targeted killings of high-profile individuals. It has a multi-mission, multi-target precision-strike ability, and can be launched from multiple air, sea, and ground platforms. The Hellfire missile is capable of defeating armored forces, urban targets, boats, and enemy personnel in a variety of conditions. It has a range of up to 8 km (5 miles) and carries a warhead with 9 kg (20 lbs) of explosives.

The addition of 460 AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) accentuates the depth of this procurement. The AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) is an American military program developed to replace the current air-launched BGM-71 TOW, AGM-114 Hellfire, and AGM-65 Maverick missiles. The missile has an operational range of 5 mi (8.0 km). JAGM is engineered to target a diverse range of threats, from armored assets to naval adversaries, utilizing a dual-mode guidance system that merges semi-active laser with millimeter-wave radar.

Included in the package are 508 Stinger 92K Block I Missiles, short-range air defense missiles tailored for close air support. The Stinger 92K Block I is an air-to-air missile variant of the renowned FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS. Designed for use by fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, this missile provides a formidable defense against enemy aircraft. With its infrared homing guidance system, the Stinger 92K Block I is effective against a variety of aerial threats, including other helicopters, drones, and fixed-wing aircraft. It has a range of up to 8 km (5 miles) and carries a warhead with a specified quantity of explosives tailored for aerial targets.

Concluding the procurement list are 7,650 WGU-59/B Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS-II) Guidance Sections (GS). The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), also known as Laser, Homing Attack, or Laser Homing Anti-Tank (LAHAT), is a laser-guided missile system developed by BAE Systems. It is designed to turn existing unguided rockets into precision-guided munitions through the addition of a laser guidance kit, enhancing their efficacy against a range of targets, both soft and armored. Compatible rockets for the APKWS-II include the Hydra 70 rocket series.