On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on social media that the eighth and final Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopter leased from the United States had arrived at the 56th Air Base in Inowrocław.
Photo: 56th Air Base
“The eighth and final AH-64D helicopter leased from the United States is already in Poland. This is important news for the Polish Armed Forces and for our security. The training of pilots and maintenance personnel is proceeding according to schedule. Thanks to this, we will be ready to receive the 96 helicopters purchased in the United States and use them to build our deterrence and defense capabilities,” wrote the head of the Ministry of National Defence on social media.
Deliveries of the first AH-64D helicopters began on June 17, 2025, under an agreement signed on February 27 last year worth about 300 million USD (1.184 billion PLN), which also covers operational support and the training of Polish Armed Forces personnel during the lease period. Training for pilots under the Transition Echo to Delta program at the 56th Air Base in Inowrocław began on July 10 last year with the first flight by a Polish–American crew, supported by Technical Assistance Field Teams (TAFT) from the U.S. Army. Already on July 25, the completion of the first stage of training was announced.
While initially no information was provided about how many helicopters had been delivered in June, on September 25 last year, during a meeting of the standing subcommittee on the Polish defense industry and technical modernization of the Polish Armed Forces within the Sejm National Defense Committee, it was confirmed that four helicopters had been delivered and that the deliveries were planned to be completed by the end of 2025. Later, on October 30, another pair of helicopters arrived, increasing the total to six. However, the plan to complete all deliveries by the end of 2025 was not met.
The seventh helicopter was delivered on January 19 this year.
Meanwhile, on January 16 this year, Deputy Minister of National Defense Stanisław Wziątek took part in the inauguration of a non-commissioned officer course for candidates for AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopter pilots, conducted at the Polish Air Force University in Dęblin. The program began yesterday and includes the first group of 10 soldiers. The training totals 500 hours over two years and includes selection training on a simulator, theoretical instruction, and flights on Robinson R44 helicopters. Afterwards, trainees will undergo training on the target aircraft type in the United Kingdom and the United States, of which Poland has ordered 96 helicopters, with deliveries scheduled for 2028–2032.
The AH-64D helicopters will be used by pilots and aeronautical engineering service personnel until 2028, when the lease agreement expires.
‼️Ósmy, ostatni z leasingowanych od USA śmigłowców AH-64D już w Polsce. To ważna wiadomość dla #WojskoPolskie i naszego bezpieczeństwa. Szkolenie pilotów i obsług przebiega zgodnie z założonym harmonogramem. Dzięki temu będziemy gotowi na przyjęcie 96 śmigłowców kupionych w USA i… pic.twitter.com/tBMIXpZTeb
— Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (@KosiniakKamysz) March 10, 2026
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