Egypt to upgrade Apaches to AH-64E standard

Egypt is set to upgrade its existing Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters to the latest AH-64E Apache Guardian standard, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 7 May.

The North African country has been cleared by the US State Department to remanufacture 43 helicopters for an estimated USD2.3 billion.

As noted by the DSCA, the proposed sale includes remanufactured engines, and AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/AN/AAR-11 Pilot Night Vision Sensors (MTADS/PNVS). Other equipment will be bought new.

“Egypt intends to use these refurbished AH-64 helicopters to modernise its armed forces to address the shared US-Egyptian interest in countering terrorist activities emanating from the Sinai Peninsula, which threaten Egyptian and Israeli security and undermine regional stability. This sale will contribute to Egypt's military goal to update its capability while further enhancing greater interoperability between Egypt, the US, and other allies,” the DSCA said.

The notification did not provide a timeline for the remanufacturing process.

The Egyptian Air Force (EAF) received 45 AH-64D helicopters from 2003 (35 were initially received, with a further 10 being ordered in 2010). Egypt's Apaches are fielded by the air force's 550 Attack Helicopter Regiment with 51 Squadron operating the type out of Wadi al Jandali and 52 Squadron based at Az Zaqaziq.