US DoD contracts Boeing to build Apaches for Egypt, Kuwait, and Poland

Seen in UK service, the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter is to be fielded by Egypt, Kuwait, and Poland also. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has contracted Boeing to build AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters for Egypt, Kuwait, and Poland.

Announced by the DoD on 25 November, the USD4.69 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract covers the procurement of an undisclosed number of newbuild helicopters and crew trainers, as well as associated components, spares, and accessories. Work at Boeing's Mesa production facility in Arizona will run through to 30 May 2032.

The award follows an earlier contract announced on July 2023 for remanufactured AH-64D to AH-64E helicopters for both Egypt and Kuwait, as well as newbuild helicopters for Kuwait.

Egypt was approved in 2018 for 10 newbuild AH-64Es to add to the 43 AH-64Ds (35 of which were upgraded AH-64As) it is remanufacturing to the same standard for a total of 53 AH-64E helicopters. It is not known how many Egyptian AH-64Es are included in this latest contract announcement.

Kuwait was approved for eight newbuild AH-64Es in January 2021 as part of a wider US Department of State approval that also included 16 remanufactured AH-64Ds for a total of 24 AH-64E helicopters. Given the earlier July 2023 production award included newbuilds for Kuwait, it is not known how many Kuwaiti AH-64Es are included in this latest contract announcement.

Poland is to receive 96 newbuild AH-64Es, ahead of which it has leased eight AH-64Ds from the US Army for training. As this Polish requirement alone is valued at USD10 billion, only a portion will be covered in this contract announcement.

For more information on the international AH-64E programme, please see US DoD contracts Apaches for Egypt, Kuwait .