The U.S. Army has officially secured a massive firm-fixed-price deal with Boeing worth approximately $4.68 billion for the procurement of the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter. This decisive action ensures the continued production of the helicopter, which serves as the Army’s primary attack rotorcraft. The extensive AH-64E Apache contract covers the delivery of new-build helicopters, Longbow crew trainers, and essential associated components, spares, and accessories. The award guarantees stability for Boeing’s Mesa, Arizona, production facility, and the work period will extend the AH-64E line through May 2032.
Driving International Modernization
A significant portion of the total award—nearly $2.3 billion—comes from Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds provided by key international partners. This funding highlights the helicopter’s vital role in global military interoperability and modernization.
The primary beneficiaries of this FMS package include Poland, Egypt, and Kuwait, each investing heavily to acquire the advanced capabilities of the AH-64E model. Poland, in particular, will receive 96 AH-64E Apaches as it moves to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-era Mi-24 helicopters. The FMS mechanism effectively provides U.S. allies access to cutting-edge technology, enhancing their defense capabilities and strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base simultaneously.
Sustaining the Industrial Base
The Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal oversaw the award, finalizing the contract structure that secures continuous production for one of the most important aviation programs. By awarding this multi-billion dollar agreement, the Army avoids costly production gaps and ensures that the industrial base supporting the Apache program remains robust for the next decade.
The AH-64E represents the latest iteration of the globally successful platform, boasting enhanced digital connectivity, improved sensors, and a fully integrated weapon system designed to operate effectively in contested environments. This new contract solidifies the aircraft’s future, ensuring that the U.S. Army and its allies will continue to possess a dominant, technologically superior attack helicopter platform for decades to come.
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