EXCLUSIVE: Boeing secures record foreign deal for AH-64E Apache attack helicopter production outside U.S..

Boeing confirmed that the U.S. Army has issued a $4.7 billion Foreign Military Sales contract for new AH-64E Apache helicopters, with 96 helicopters heading to Poland. The deal marks the largest foreign Apache order in history and reflects Poland’s push to strengthen defenses amid growing regional pressure.

U.S. Company Boeing has secured a nearly 4.7 billion dollar U.S. Army contract to produce AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for multiple allied customers, a package led by Poland’s unprecedented request for 96 attack helicopters. According to company officials, the acquisition was processed through the Army’s FMS channel, a move that aligns with Washington’s ongoing support for NATO partners and Poland’s accelerated effort to modernize its rotary-wing fleet, as tensions near its eastern border continue to shape defense planning.
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The AH-64E Apache is the latest version of Boeing’s combat-proven attack helicopter, featuring upgraded engines, advanced sensors, and the ability to control drones. It delivers unmatched firepower, survivability, and real-time battlefield connectivity. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

Poland’s record-setting procurement of 96 AH-64E Apaches significantly reshapes the country’s air-ground strike capabilities and vaults it into the top tier of NATO attack aviation operators. With deliveries expected to begin in 2028, the Polish Ministry of National Defence has already taken proactive steps to integrate the Apache into its doctrine. In cooperation with the U.S. Army, Poland is currently leasing eight AH-64E helicopters to initiate pilot and maintainer training while laying the groundwork for operational integration.

“This important agreement allows us to begin building one of the largest and most formidable Apache fleets that the world has ever seen,” said Christina Upah, Vice President of Boeing’s Attack Helicopter Programs. She emphasized Boeing’s commitment to execution precision and local collaboration, noting the company’s ongoing work with Polish defense officials to ensure a seamless fielding process. “We’re focused on disciplined execution to help enhance Poland’s defense capabilities and keep up with the strong demand for the most advanced attack helicopter.”

What sets this agreement apart from previous Apache export deals is the level of industrial cooperation embedded within the package. As part of a broader offset arrangement negotiated in 2024, Boeing has pledged to integrate Polish defense firms into the Apache fleet's sustainment and support architecture. This includes establishing a domestic training center, co-developing a composite materials laboratory, and developing localized maintenance capabilities, offering long-term strategic value to Poland’s defense industry.

The AH-64E Apache is the most advanced variant of Boeing’s battle-proven attack helicopter. Designed for modern, high-threat combat operations, it features upgraded engines, new composite rotor blades, advanced targeting sensors, and integrated battlefield connectivity. Its capabilities include the Longbow fire-control radar, Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), and full interoperability with allied C4ISR networks, allowing pilots to control drones and share real-time intelligence. With enhanced lethality, survivability, and digital integration, the AH-64E remains the U.S. Army’s primary heavy attack platform and has become the global benchmark for rotary-wing strike power.

Boeing’s Mesa, Arizona production facility, which recently marked 50 years since the Apache’s first flight, will manage the bulk of the production for this contract. The company has ramped up its manufacturing lines to meet growing international demand, having recently completed deliveries to the Australian Army, the Indian Army, and the Royal Moroccan Air Force. Poland becomes the 19th global operator of the Apache, and with 96 aircraft, its fleet will be second only to the United States in size.

The contract further cements Poland’s position as the leading defense investor in Central and Eastern Europe. With defense spending now exceeding 4 percent of GDP, the highest in NATO, Warsaw continues to build a formidable military posture along the alliance’s eastern flank. The Apache acquisition complements other high-end U.S. equipment purchases, including Abrams main battle tanks, HIMARS launchers, Patriot missile systems, and F-35A fighter jets, all of which signal deepening U.S.-Polish defense ties.

For Boeing, this massive FMS contract reinforces its dominance in the attack helicopter market at a critical time. While the U.S. Army eyes next-generation capabilities under the Future Vertical Lift program, the Apache E-model continues to receive incremental upgrades and remains central to allied force structures worldwide. More than 1,300 Apaches are currently in service, supported by Boeing Global Services through a global training and sustainment network. Poland is expected to become a regional hub for Apache operations in Europe, further elevating its role within NATO's integrated deterrence architecture.

This contract is not just a major industrial win for Boeing, but also a symbolic and strategic milestone in European defense. As NATO's eastern frontier becomes increasingly vital to the alliance’s deterrence posture, Poland’s investment in the AH-64E gives it a potent strike capability that will shape military planning across the region for decades to come.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.