Boeing delivers first two Apaches to Australia

The Australian Armyʼs first Apache (AT001) conducts its first flight in Mesa, Arizona, earlier in 2025. (Boeing)

Boeing has delivered the first two AH-64E v6 Apache helicopters on order by the Australian Army.

The two helicopters arrived at RAAF Base Townsville on 2 October, Boeing said in a release the next day. The army's 16th Aviation Brigade received the two helicopters following their “successful test flights in Mesa, Arizona”, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) added.

The Australian Army is acquiring a total of 29 helicopters under its Project Land 4503 programme. The DoD expects the full fleet to be delivered by 2029. According to Boeing, two additional Apaches are on track for delivery before the end of 2025.

The AH-64E will replace the armyʼs Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter. This will “bring significant capability improvements that will enhance the lethality and tempo of both land and amphibious manoeuvres”, the DoD said.

“Australian Army personnel have been undertaking training in the US and the UK, with a number of air and ground crew already qualified on the Apache,” the DoD added.

In July during a visit to the Mesa facility to view the helicopters in final assembly, Major General Jeremy King, head of Australia's Joint Aviation Systems Division, said Canberraʼs acquisition of the Apache would allow the army to evolve rotary-wing combat operations.

“It allows us to continue to develop attack helicopter operations, armed reconnaissance helicopter operations, communications networking, and importantly, the ability to grow the teaming of crewed and uncrewed systems as we learn the lessons of modern warfare in the current environment,” he said.

Amy List, managing director, Boeing Defence Australia, said the arrival of the helicopters also delivers new, skilled jobs to Australia.