Yesterday, October 2, the Australian Army confirmed the delivery of the first two new AH-64E Apache attack helicopters acquired from the U.S., encompassed in programs and efforts to strengthen the force’s combat capabilities. The aircraft were received by Australia’s 16th Aviation Brigade at RAAF Base Townsville, after being transported aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport plane.
Following images published by the Australian Ministry of Defence, the arrival of the aircraft on Australian soil occurred after the completion of test and acceptance flights in Mesa, Arizona. The acquisition program foresees the purchase and incorporation of a total of 29 new AH-64E Apaches, through a contract valued at 5.5 billion Australian dollars (around 3.218 billion euros), which will progressively replace the current and problematic ARH EC665 Tiger helicopter fleet.
Although no further details were provided about the arrival of the new Apaches, it is expected that once the delivery of all units is completed, they will be assigned to the 1st Aviation Brigade based in Darwin and to the aforementioned 16th Aviation Brigade, reinforcing the Australian Army’s attack and close air support capabilities. On the other hand, unlike what was stipulated months ago, the helicopter fleet is now expected to be completed by 2029, while the withdrawal of the European-origin Tigers is advanced in parallel. In this regard, Boeing confirmed that it expects to deliver two attack helicopters by the end of the current year.
According to the Australian defence portfolio, the Apaches will provide a wide range of capabilities including armed surveillance and reconnaissance, communications and network links, and great firepower to perform their primary role of attack and close air support. Along the same lines, they also mention that these qualities make it a central element in the transformation of the Australian Defence Forces regarding manoeuvre operations in littoral environments and longer-range strikes, key concepts of Australia’s latest Defence Strategic Review.
“The AH-64E Apache represents a fundamental shift in the Australian Army’s attack aviation capability and builds on the Albanian Government’s investments to improve the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) ability to operate from northern Australia bases,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles.
As part of this incorporation and transition program toward the new attack platform, Australian Army pilots and maintenance crews carried out part of their training in the United States and the United Kingdom, both principal operators of the AH-64E, training to become familiar with the helicopter’s capabilities and finer points, the most modern introduced to date and designated as Guardian, and receiving the corresponding qualifications.
Finally, Christina Upah, vice president of Boeing’s Attack Helicopter Programs, stated: “The delivery of the first two Australian Apaches underscores the strength of Boeing’s enduring partnership with Australia,” adding: “Working side by side with the Australian Army, the Capability Acquisition & Sustainment Group and local industry, we are delivering the world’s most advanced attack helicopter capability, specifically designed to ensure battlefield superiority, strengthen interoperability with allied nations and evolve with the latest technologies over the coming decades.”
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