TSAMTO, March 20. On March 17, Boeing announced the signing of a long-term contract for the supply of 184 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to U.S. and foreign customers, including the first aircraft for the Australian Armed Forces.
The contract worth $1.9 billion increases the total cost of the order for the supply of helicopters of this type to $ 2.1 billion. In the future, it may increase to $3.8 billion.
According to Kristina Upa, Boeing's vice president for attack helicopter programs, the implementation of the agreement will allow to increase the fleet of attack helicopters of the US Army, while simultaneously supporting other partner countries and a new customer, the Australian Army. Australia became the 18th country to choose the Apache as an attack helicopter.
SV USA will receive 115 restored Apache, another 15 Apache will be purchased as options, which will provide significant cost savings. Another 54 helicopters will be delivered to partner countries under the Foreign Military Sales program.
The contract was concluded after the raid of the Apache fleet in the United States exceeded 5 million flight hours.
The Boeing Global Services division will continue to ensure the combat readiness of helicopters, including the supply of training equipment, spare parts, sets of auxiliary and test equipment, warehouse support, field engineering work and technical documentation.
As part of the first long-term contract signed in 2017, Boeing delivered 244 restored Apache helicopters for the US Army and 24 new helicopters for a foreign customer. Currently, there are more than 1,275 Apache attack helicopters in operation worldwide.
As reported by TSAMTO, in January 2021, Australian Defense Minister Linda Reynolds announced the selection of the AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter from Boeing as a replacement for the Tiger reconnaissance and attack helicopters in service, starting from 2025.
In June 2021, the US State Department approved the potential supply to Australia under the Foreign Military Sales program of 29 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, upgraded AN/ASQ-170 targeting systems (MTADS) / AN/AAQ-11 PNVS (Pilot Night Vision Sensor) night vision systems, 16 fire control radars millimeter range AN/APG-78 "Longbow", related equipment, weapons and services worth up to $ 3.5 billion.
It is assumed that 24 vehicles will enter service with combatant units, and another five will be used for training personnel.
