Poland has begun the construction of an industrial maintenance center dedicated to AH-64E Apache helicopters, in another move to expand its military capabilities and sustain the operation of one of the most powerful attack fleets in Europe.
The project officially started after the signing of two executive offset agreements between Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze nr 1 (WZL1), based in Łódź and part of the Polish Armaments Group (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa), and the American company Lockheed Martin, a strategic partner in the Apache program.
The new facility will be installed in Łódź, with a branch in Dęblin, forming the Apache Helicopters Industrial Maintenance Center. The initiative is expected to become a central element in the logistical, technical, and industrial support of Poland’s future fleet.
The offset agreements total approximately 300 million zlotys (about €70 million) and will be implemented over five years. In practice, they pave the way for Poland to strengthen its autonomy in maintenance, repair, and support of one of the most sophisticated combat aircraft currently in service worldwide.
The development is directly linked to the agreement signed in 2024 with the United States government for the acquisition of 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The package includes training, logistical support, munitions, and spare parts, consolidating one of the largest military programs ever undertaken by the country.
The Apache AH-64E Guardian will be primarily used to support ground forces, but will also play an important role in air defense, especially against drones and low-flying targets. With this purchase, Poland is set to become the second-largest operator of Apache helicopters in the world, behind only the United States.
Amid rising tensions on Europe’s eastern flank, the creation of a dedicated structure to support this fleet enhances not only Poland’s operational capability but also its strategic weight within NATO.
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Source and images: Polska Grupa Zbrojeniow – X @PGZ_pl | Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej – X @MON_GOV_PL. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
