On Monday, March 23, 2026, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, along with Secretaries of State at the Ministry of National Defence Paweł Bejda and Cezary Tomczyk, took part in a ceremony marking the signing of executive agreements under the offset agreement between Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 1 (WZL-1), part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), and the U.S. company Lockheed Martin. These agreements will formally open the process of technology transfer and the establishment of a full specialist support base for AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters at WZL-1 in Łódź.
Photos: Krzysztof Niedziela/Ministry Of National Defence
The cooperation between WZL-1 and Lockheed Martin constitutes an important element of a broader program to develop domestic industrial capabilities, including the creation of highly specialized jobs, technology transfer in the area of sensor and avionics maintenance, and strengthening the transatlantic industrial base of the defense sector. Expanding national capabilities in supporting the operation of Apache helicopters contributes to enhancing deterrence and interoperability within NATO by increasing operational readiness and the effectiveness of allied operations.
Following the contract for the delivery of fourth-generation targeting and navigation systems (Gen 4 TADS/PNVS), the partnership between Lockheed Martin and WZL-1 предусматривает the establishment of specialized maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for Apache helicopter sensor systems. WZL-1 will carry out servicing and repairs of Gen 4 TADS/PNVS systems and Longbow fire control radars at a new facility in Łódź. This initiative represents another milestone in Lockheed Martin’s commitment to supporting the Polish Armed Forces and strengthening the allied defense industrial base.
The new facility, designed as a center for servicing Apache helicopter sensor and fire control systems, will combine Lockheed Martin’s expertise in sustainment with WZL-1’s workforce potential and supply chain. This will shorten maintenance cycles and maintain high operational readiness of the Polish Armed Forces’ helicopter fleet, ensuring the capability to effectively engage targets and carry out combat missions.
“This is an extraordinary moment, when the Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze in Łódź gain the capability to service Apache helicopters. But also other helicopters used by the Polish Armed Forces, both here in Łódź and in Dęblin, as part of WZL operates in Dęblin and has engine maintenance capabilities, including for the AW101 and Black Hawk. This is a service center for both American equipment and equipment produced in Europe by our partners. This is a major achievement. The Apache program, one of the most important contracts and probably the largest single contract in the history of the Republic of Poland, is now part of our effort. All of this took place on August 13, 2024, when our government was already pursuing a policy of modernization and transformation of the Polish Armed Forces. I would like to thank the Prime Minister for adopting this direction, which we proposed, to eliminate errors, address shortcomings, and continue procurement capabilities, because the modernization and transformation of the Polish Armed Forces does not take place within one, two, or even three terms of office,” said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
“Having 96 Apache helicopters will make this the second-largest fleet of U.S.-made combat helicopters in the world, after the United States. No one else will have more. Some are asking whether this is excessive, whether it is an overinvestment. It results from the needs and the development strategy of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. Apache helicopters support the Land Forces. We are building the largest land forces army in Europe, already today, after Turkey, we are second in this part of the world, and third in NATO as a whole. It is impossible to build a large land force without adequate air support,” said the Deputy Prime Minister during the event.
“Europe must do more, it must invest in its security and take responsibility. Poland is taking this responsibility first, we are reaching a level of 5% of GDP for defense, we are the first to develop the largest army in Europe, and the ‘500,000-strong Army’ project, comprising 300,000 professional soldiers and Territorial Defence Forces personnel, along with 200,000 high-readiness reserves, particularly being prepared this year. This philosophy of building the strongest army by 2030 is focused here, on maintenance and sustainment capabilities, but it is defined in our strategy (…)”
The conclusion of offset obligations stems from the contract signed on August 13, 2024, by the Ministry of National Defence for the purchase of 96 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, valued at approximately 10.8 billion USD.
“A true ally is one you can rely on, because the relationship is built on trust and mutual interest. I am pleased that here in Łódź we have another example, another proof of this. I can once again guarantee, and I say this both to you here and to all our fellow citizens, that everything we are doing today for Poland’s security is done first and foremost in the interest of Poland and the Polish people,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the ceremony.
Locating Apache sensor system maintenance capabilities in Poland will increase combat readiness by shortening repair and upgrade times, thereby improving helicopter availability for the Polish Armed Forces.
Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz also recalled the role of the SAFE program, which is of significant importance for the development of the Republic of Poland’s defense capabilities.
“We will carry out the SAFE program not because it poses a threat to any of our allies with the United States, but quite the opposite – it is being implemented in response to a call from the United States to Europe: ‘Europe must do more, must invest in its security, must take responsibility.’ Poland is taking that responsibility first, moving toward reaching the level of 5% of GDP in defense spending. We are the first to develop the largest army in Europe and the ‘500,000-strong Army’ project, comprising 300,000 professional soldiers and Territorial Defence Forces personnel, along with 200,000 high-readiness reserves, particularly being prepared this year. This philosophy of building the strongest army by 2030 is focused here – on maintenance and sustainment capabilities – but it is defined in our strategy. Therefore, we will bring SAFE to completion, sign all contracts, miss no opportunity, and fulfill all commitments (…) I would like to thank our partners from the United States for their trust in Poland as a strategic partner. We cooperate as the Ministry of National Defence, and Minister Konrad Gołota is also responsible for overseeing PGZ. This is a strong team responsible for security. The ‘Polska Zbrojna’ program – outlined in the latest resolution of the Council of Ministers – points to both American and Korean directions, but above all, the best soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces are the guarantee of the state’s security,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.
“Lockheed Martin is honored to deepen its long-standing partnership with Poland by delivering advanced sensor systems and sustainment capabilities that strengthen national security and its key role in NATO,” said Stacy Kubicek, Vice President and General Manager for Sensors & Global Sustainment at Lockheed Martin. “Through close cooperation with the Polish defense industry and the development of domestic sustainment capabilities, we enable faster maintenance, increase system readiness, and ensure that the Apache helicopter fleet remains mission-capable at critical moments.”
“The conclusion of offset agreements related to Poland’s acquisition of 96 AH-64E attack helicopters will enable the establishment of a domestic Apache Helicopter Industrial Service Center, based on the specialized competencies of WZL-1 S.A. in Łódź and Dęblin. These capabilities will ensure the maintenance of high operational readiness of the Apache fleet within the Polish Armed Forces, directly contributing to national security,” emphasized Dr. Eng. Jacek A. Goszczyński, President of the Management Board of WZL-1.
As part of the cooperation, Lockheed Martin will provide resources, training, and technical support for WZL-1 personnel, enabling the maintenance and repair of Apache helicopter sensor systems within Poland.
The agreement concluded in 2024 with the government of the United States for the delivery of 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters included a logistics package (including equipment for helicopter maintenance, airfield and hangar equipment, and technical support), a training package (specialized training for pilots and technical personnel, as well as full mission and partial task simulators), and stocks of ammunition and spare parts. The AH-64E Guardian helicopters are intended primarily to support land forces operations. They also contribute to air defense, particularly through countering unmanned aerial systems and low-flying air targets. Poland will become the second country after the United States to operate the largest number of these rotorcraft.
Several dozen Polish personnel (technicians and pilots) have already undergone training in the United States. Another round of training for flight crews and SIL personnel will begin in June in the U.S. At the same time, training is underway at the 56th Air Base in Inowrocław using eight leased AH-64D Apache helicopters.
In January 2026, the Polish Air Force University in Dęblin launched a new training program for non-commissioned officers to become military helicopter pilots. During the two-year course, pilots will train, among others, in the United Kingdom and the United States. This is a result of the agreement signed on August 13, 2024, for the acquisition of 96 Apache attack helicopters.
The main production contract for the AH-64E was signed on November 25, 2025. It was preceded by orders for key components: on January 8, 2025, GE Aerospace (part of General Electric) announced it had received an order for 210 T700-GE-701D turboshaft engines, and on June 6, Lockheed Martin received a contract for deliveries of the higher-resolution and more accurate M-TADS/PNVS Arrowhead electro-optical system. On July 18, a batch of AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radars was contracted for unspecified export customers.
The first offset agreement between the Ministry of National Defence and the main integrator and manufacturer, Boeing, regarding Apache helicopters was signed on September 25, 2023, by the then Minister of National Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak. It paved the way for negotiations with Lockheed Martin on capabilities in support, repair, and maintenance of key helicopter components used in combat and reconnaissance, including guidance and targeting systems. It also assumed that capabilities would be established within the Polish defense industry for diagnosing and verifying potential malfunctions, as well as partial servicing of AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radars.
