Defense & Military
Poland Launches AH-64D Apache Training for Military Modernization
Poland begins AH-64D Apache training under a $300M lease, bridging to 96 AH-64E Guardians as part of NATO-aligned defense upgrades and industrial partnerships.
Polish Armed Forces Begin AH-64D Apache Training Flights: A Strategic Leap Forward
On July 13, 2025, the Polish Armed Forces conducted their first training flight with the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter, marking a significant milestone in the country’s military modernization efforts. This inaugural sortie, carried out by a joint Polish-American crew, represents the beginning of a broader transformation in Poland’s rotary-wing combat capabilities.
The training flight is part of a $300 million leasing agreement with the United States for eight AH-64D helicopters. These older-model Apaches serve as interim platforms to train personnel ahead of the delivery of 96 AH-64E Apache Guardians, purchased under a nearly $11 billion deal signed in 2024. Poland’s aim is not only to modernize its fleet but also to establish itself as a key NATO contributor on the alliance’s eastern flank.
Against the backdrop of regional instability following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Poland’s investment in Apache helicopters reflects a strategic pivot toward high-intensity conflict preparedness. The move also underscores Warsaw’s commitment to interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces, as well as its ambition to build domestic defense capabilities through industrial offset agreements.
Background: Poland’s Military Modernization and Apache Acquisition
Poland’s decision to acquire Apache helicopters is rooted in a broader defense modernization strategy initiated in response to heightened security threats along its eastern borders. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022 significantly altered the security landscape in Central and Eastern Europe, prompting Warsaw to overhaul its armed forces with a focus on mobility, firepower, and interoperability.
In August 2024, Poland signed a government-to-government Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement with the United States to procure 96 AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters. The contract, valued at approximately $11 billion, includes logistics support, training packages, and munitions. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028 and continue through 2032, positioning Poland as the second-largest Apache operator globally, after the U.S.
To bridge the operational gap prior to the AH-64E’s arrival, Poland entered into a leasing agreement for eight AH-64D Longbow helicopters in February 2025. The first three units arrived at the 56th Air Base in Inowrocław on June 16, 2025, and were officially welcomed during a ceremony the following day. These D-models, while older, offer similar flight characteristics to the E-model, making them suitable for initial pilot and crew training.
Training Program and Personnel Development
The AH-64D training program is structured in two phases: initial flight instruction in the United States and ground operations training in Poland. Polish pilots undergo flight training at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence in Fort Novosel, Alabama, where they learn basic flight dynamics, weapons systems, and emergency procedures. Upon returning to Poland, they transition to tactical training, including formation flying, combat scenarios, and integration with ground forces.
By the end of 2025, Poland expects to have trained 20 pilots and 22 ground crew, with additional cohorts scheduled for Q4 2025 and throughout 2026. The goal is to prepare 50 pilots and 250 ground personnel by the end of 2026. The first training flight on July 13, 2025, validated the effectiveness of this approach, showcasing low-altitude maneuvers and sensor coordination capabilities.
Colonel Ryan Kendall, commander of the U.S. Army’s 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, emphasized the significance of the joint effort: “This collaboration is key to building a combat credible Polish attack aviation capability through shared expertise and operational alignment.”
“This collaboration is key to building a combat credible Polish attack aviation capability through shared expertise and operational alignment.”, Col. Ryan Kendall, U.S. Army
Technical Capabilities of the AH-64D Apache
The AH-64D Apache Longbow is powered by two General Electric T700-701C engines, each producing 1,890 shaft horsepower. It can reach speeds up to 158 knots and has a combat radius of approximately 260 nautical miles. Its armament includes a 30 mm M230 chain gun, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and Hydra 70 rockets, providing robust anti-armor and close air support capabilities.
One of the key features of the AH-64D is its Longbow radar system, which enables target acquisition in adverse weather and battlefield conditions. While the D-model lacks the AH-64E’s advanced networking and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control capabilities, it remains a formidable platform for training and initial operational deployment.
The AH-64D’s operational cost is higher than the E-model, with estimates exceeding $10,000 per flight hour. However, its role is transitional, focused on preparing Polish crews for the more advanced AH-64E. Boeing has stated that the D-models are sufficient for familiarization with flight systems and maintenance procedures, thus ensuring a smoother transition when the E-models arrive.
Industrial Partnerships and Offset Agreements
To support the Apache program, Poland has secured offset agreements worth approximately $237 million. Boeing’s $102 million agreement with Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 1 (WZL-1) will establish domestic maintenance facilities for the Apache airframes. GE Aerospace’s $135 million contract focuses on engine maintenance capabilities, particularly for the T700 engines used in multiple helicopter platforms, including the Apache, AW149, and Black Hawk.
These agreements aim to reduce Poland’s reliance on foreign logistical support and enhance self-sufficiency in defense maintenance. The Military University of Technology (WAT) in Warsaw is also involved, offering specialized training in avionics and engine diagnostics. Paweł Bejda, Deputy Minister of National Defence, stated, “Offset agreements bolster our economy, allowing Polish industry to service composite structures and engines.”
In the long term, these partnerships are expected to position Poland as a regional hub for Apache maintenance within NATO, supporting both domestic and allied fleets. This aligns with Poland’s broader goal of retaining a significant portion of defense spending within its own economy, fostering technological development and job creation.
Geopolitical Implications and NATO Interoperability
Poland’s Apache acquisition is not just about hardware, it’s a strategic move to enhance NATO’s eastern flank. With defense spending reaching 4.12% of GDP in 2025, Poland leads all NATO members in terms of investment relative to economic output. The Apache program complements other U.S.-supplied systems such as Abrams tanks and HIMARS rocket artillery, forming an integrated deterrence posture.
The U.S. V Corps has launched the “Polish Apache Initiative,” which includes joint exercises, command and control integration, and electronic warfare training. These efforts aim to ensure seamless coordination during multinational operations, a critical capability given Poland’s frontline position bordering Ukraine and Belarus.
While the U.S. Army is shifting focus toward unmanned systems and drone swarms, Poland remains committed to manned attack aviation. Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has acknowledged the importance of unmanned systems but emphasized that Apaches will serve as the backbone of Poland’s immediate combat aviation strategy.
Conclusion
The first training flight of the AH-64D Apache in Poland marks the beginning of a transformative period in the nation’s defense strategy. By leveraging leased D-model helicopters, Poland is accelerating its path toward full operational capability with the AH-64E, while simultaneously building domestic maintenance and training infrastructure.
As regional tensions persist, Poland’s investments in high-end military capabilities reflect a broader shift toward readiness and deterrence. The Apache program not only enhances national defense but also strengthens NATO’s collective security architecture. In the years ahead, Poland is poised to become a central player in regional defense, supported by a modern, interoperable, and well-trained attack aviation force.
FAQ
Question: Why is Poland leasing AH-64D Apaches instead of waiting for the AH-64E?
Answer: The lease allows Poland to begin training pilots and maintenance crews immediately, ensuring readiness by the time the AH-64E helicopters are delivered starting in 2028.
Question: How many AH-64E Apaches has Poland ordered?
Answer: Poland has ordered 96 AH-64E Apache Guardians, making it the second-largest operator globally after the United States.
Question: What are the main differences between the AH-64D and AH-64E?
Answer: The AH-64E features more powerful engines, advanced avionics, network-centric capabilities, and UAV control interfaces, whereas the AH-64D is optimized for basic combat and training missions.
Sources
Photo Credit: The War Zone
Defense & Military
Bombardier Defense Signs 10-Year Support Deal With Sweden
Bombardier Defense and FMV finalized a 10-year support agreement for Sweden’s two Global 6500 TP 106 military transport aircraft.
Bombardier Defense and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) finalized a 10-year Services Support Agreement on July 22, 2026, securing long-term maintenance and operational readiness for Sweden’s newly acquired fleet of two Global 6500 transport aircraft.
Announced during the Farnborough International Airshow in a company press release, the agreement enrolls the Swedish Armed Forces (SWEAF) in Bombardier’s Smart Services Defense program. The comprehensive support package covers parts, labor, and engineering expertise for the aircraft, which are designated as the TP 106 in Swedish military service and replace the nation’s aging Gulfstream IV and Gulfstream G550 head-of-state transport fleet.
Fleet modernization and delivery timeline
The targeted acquisition deal for the two aircraft was valued at SEK 1.1 billion ($113 million) and formalized in May 2025, according to reporting by Aviation International News. The rapid procurement was enabled by utilizing existing airframes previously operated in Bombardier’s demonstration fleet, which were subsequently modified to meet Swedish Military-Aircraft requirements.
The formal handover of the aircraft took place on June 1, 2026, at the Uppland Wing F 16, as reported by Nordic Defence Sector. The aircraft will be operated by the 75th Swedish Civil Aviation Squadron at Skaraborg’s F7 Air Fleet, based at Stockholm Arlanda Airports (ARN), primarily conducting VIP and head-of-state transport missions.
Smart Services Defense and operational commonality
The 10-year agreement provides comprehensive cost coverage and logistical support for the new fleet. Bombardier stated the program includes landing gear and auxiliary power unit maintenance, ground support equipment, technical assistance, and access to mobile response teams.
Paul Sislian, Bombardier’s Executive Vice President of Aircraft Sales and Aftermarket Services, noted the program provides seamless original equipment OEMs support for the Swedish military.
“Through our Smart Services Defense program, the Swedish Armed Forces will benefit from seamless OEM support, enhanced readiness and predictable lifestyle costs, giving them the confidence to stay focused on the mission while we support their aircraft every step of the way,” Sislian said.
The selection of the Global 6500 platform offers strategic maintenance and operational commonality with Sweden’s incoming airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) fleet. The Swedish Armed Forces are procuring the Saab GlobalEye, designated the S 106, which is also built upon the Bombardier Global aircraft family architecture.
AirPro News analysis
The 10-year support agreement underscores a growing trend among defense ministries to rely on commercial OEMs for turnkey lifecycle support rather than developing bespoke military maintenance pipelines for commercial derivative aircraft. By aligning the TP 106 VIP transport fleet with the underlying platform of the S 106 GlobalEye, the Swedish Armed Forces are establishing a unified logistical footprint. We view this procurement Strategy as a highly efficient approach to fleet modernization, reducing training burdens for maintenance personnel and ensuring higher dispatch reliability through Bombardier’s established global civilian support network.
Sources: Bombardier
Photo Credit: Bombardier
Defense & Military
EU Funds SHARP Project for Next-Gen Military Helicopter Engine
The EU allocated €25M to the SHARP consortium, 25 partners from 12 countries developing Europe’s next military helicopter engine by 2040.
The European Commission has allocated approximately €25 million through the European Defence Fund to back a multinational consortium developing the propulsion architecture for Europe’s next generation of military helicopters.
Announced on June 11, 2026, at the ILA Berlin airshow, the Sovereign High-performance Architecture for Rotorcraft Propulsion (SHARP) project brings together 25 partners from 12 European countries. According to a joint press release from Safran Helicopter Engines, MTU Aero Engines, and Avio Aero, the initiative will establish the technological foundation for the European Next Generation Helicopter Engine (ENGHE), which is targeted to enter service in 2040.
Addressing an aging military rotorcraft fleet
The SHARP initiative aligns with broader European defense goals to replace a rapidly aging fleet of military aircraft under the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) and European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) programs. The current European inventory includes approximately 1,800 transport helicopters and 600 combat helicopters, which currently average 20 years of age. By the 2040s, many of these aircraft will have been in service for over 50 years.
“In light of a continuously aging European fleet of military helicopters the need is obvious: From 2040 onwards, a large proportion of these rotorcraft will have to be replaced,” said Dr. Ottmar Pfänder, Chief Program Officer at MTU Aero Engines. “We joined forces across the continent to underline the importance of this technology program. It will further reinforce European sovereignty and strengthen the European supply chain.”
The funding will be used to develop scalable technological building blocks that can be adapted to various weight classes and mission profiles required by future European armed forces.
Collaborative framework and European sovereignty
The SHARP project builds upon the foundation of the EUropean Military Rotorcraft Engine Alliance (EURA), a 50/50 joint venture established in July 2024 between Safran Helicopter Engines and MTU Aero Engines specifically to develop the ENGHE. The consortium has now expanded to include Avio Aero, broadening the industrial base tasked with designing the new powerplant.
Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Cédric Goubet stated that the funding demonstrates Europe’s commitment to self-reliance and technological sovereignty for future military platforms, thanking the European Union and participating nations for their confidence in the consortium’s capabilities.
“SHARP marks an important milestone in the journey toward Europe’s next-generation rotorcraft engine and reinforces the value of collaboration in developing sovereign, high-performance propulsion technologies,” said Riccardo Procacci, CEO of Avio Aero. “We are proud to partner with EURA on this initiative, contributing within a fully European framework while leveraging Avio Aero’s well-established expertise and know-how.”
EURA CEO Wolfgang Gärtner confirmed that the joint venture is prepared to coordinate the multinational team to provide modern technologies to European forces.
AirPro News analysis
The €25 million European Defence Fund grant represents a critical early step in aligning Europe’s fragmented defense aerospace sector behind a single rotorcraft propulsion program. By formalizing the SHARP consortium now, the European Union is actively working to prevent the development of competing, incompatible national engine programs that have historically complicated European defense procurement and increased long-term maintenance costs. We view the inclusion of Avio Aero alongside the EURA joint venture as a strong indicator that the ENGHE program is successfully consolidating the continent’s primary propulsion manufacturers ahead of the 2040 target.
Sources: Safran Group
Photo Credit: Safran Group
Defense & Military
Boeing MQ-25A Stingray Aboard USS Nimitz at FLEETEX 250
Boeing’s MQ-25A T1 demonstrator appeared on USS Nimitz during FLEETEX 250, weeks after Navy LRIP approval.
The Boeing Company’s MQ-25A Stingray T1 demonstrator drone appeared aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Atlantic Ocean on June 25, 2026, sporting special commemorative markings for the United States’ 250th anniversary. The uncrewed aircraft was photographed alongside Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornets and a Grumman C-2A Greyhound during a multinational group sail event.
The deployment provides a visual representation of the United States Navy’s future carrier air wing as the MQ-25 program transitions into its next production phase. Boeing Defense and the Navy publicly released imagery of the static display on June 29, 2026.
FLEETEX 250 and commemorative display
The T1 prototype was painted in a plain gray livery and featured “250” and “Boeing Backs America” markings. In a statement released on the social media platform X, Boeing Defense noted that the display was intended to honor the nation’s semiquincentennial and offer a glimpse of future carrier operations.
The USS Nimitz hosted the drone during Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) 250. A Navy spokesperson told TWZ that the exercise involved 25 other warships and aircraft from 13 partner and allied nations conducting structured training events at sea. The spokesperson confirmed the presence of the Boeing-owned T1 prototype on the flight deck.
Aviation analysts at The Aviationist observed that the drone lacked the Cobham Aerial Refueling Store (ARS) pod, which is typically mounted under the left wing for refueling operations. The T1 demonstrator has never taken off from or landed on an aircraft carrier and was transported aboard the USS Nimitz for the exercise. It remains unconfirmed whether the uncrewed aircraft actively participated in any operational drills or if its presence was strictly for static display and photo opportunities.
Program milestones and carrier transitions
The appearance of the T1 demonstrator follows several recent advancements for the MQ-25 program. The Boeing-owned prototype originally flew on September 19, 2019, and previously conducted flight deck handling and remote control system demonstrations aboard the USS George H.W. Bush in December 2021.
On April 25, 2026, the first production-representative MQ-25 completed its maiden flight from Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica Airport in Illinois. The following month, the Navy officially approved the uncrewed tanker program’s transition into Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP).
The FLEETEX 250 exercise also marked a significant operational transition for the Navy’s legacy aircraft. On June 25, 2026, the Grumman C-2A Greyhound made its final catapult launch and arrested landing from a carrier aboard the USS Nimitz. The C-2A is anticipated to be fully retired later in the year.
AirPro News analysis
The static display aboard the USS Nimitz offers a stark visual contrast between the Navy’s past and its immediate future. Placing the MQ-25A Stingray next to the retiring C-2A Greyhound highlights the physical footprint required to integrate advanced uncrewed assets into the carrier air wing. While the T1 demonstrator’s presence was largely ceremonial for the 250th anniversary, the recent approval for Low-Rate Initial Production indicates that the logistical and operational challenges of deploying uncrewed tankers at sea are moving from theoretical testing to active fleet integration. We expect the focus to shift rapidly toward deck handling and maintenance procedures for the production-representative models in the coming months.
Sources: Boeing Defense
Photo Credit: Boeing
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries18 hours agoAerCap Orders 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners at Farnborough 2026
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries13 hours agoRiyadh Air Orders 31 A350-1000s and 67 Boeing 787s
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries15 hours agoPhilippine Airlines Orders Up to 20 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners
-
Commercial Aviation13 hours agoIndiGo Signs Record 1000 LEAP-1A Engine MoU with CFM
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries20 hours agoSMBC Aviation Capital Orders 100 Boeing 737 MAX at Farnborough