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Poland to establish Apache helicopter training centre at military university

30.09.2026 13:30
Poland's Military University of Technology in Warsaw signed agreements on Wednesday to establish an Apache helicopter training centre as part of an offset deal linked to Poland's purchase of 96 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the United States.
Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz
Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-KamyszPhoto: PAP/Paweł Supernak

The agreements were signed by the university's rector-commandant, Gen. Przemysław Wachulak, and executives from US companies Boeing and GE Aerospace, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Boeing manufactures Apache helicopters, while GE Aerospace makes engines for them.

The agreements provide for establishing capabilities at the Polish military university to train personnel in the maintenance of Apache helicopters and their engines, as well as creating an Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory, officials told reporters.

Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said the agreements would allow technicians tasked with maintaining and servicing Poland's Apache helicopters to train domestically.

He added that Wednesday's agreements complemented two other agreements signed earlier under which Polish defence companies will be able to service Apaches.

"Here at the Military University of Technology, we will learn those capabilities and skills," Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

"Our students, young military cadets, will gain skills in servicing the engines," he said, adding that the university's students would receive an engine and helicopter from the United States next year for training purposes.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said Boeing and GE Aerospace were fulfilling agreements between Poland and the US government aimed at building "the strongest defence alliance in history."

He described Polish-US relations as a "security strategy" for Europe and the United States.

He also said the war in the Middle East showed that Apache helicopters were highly effective against drones and played a key role in protecting ground forces.

Kosiniak-Kamysz also called on Boeing and GE Aerospace to meet delivery deadlines.

"This is simply a crucial matter; we don't have time," he said.

Speaking to reporters later, he said he hoped the US suppliers would meet their commitments to deliver 96 helicopters between 2028 and 2032.

The offset agreements also cover the development in Poland of capabilities to service the Apache's T700 engines.

Kosiniak-Kamysz told reporters that the same type of engine is used in other helicopters ordered by the Polish military, including Black Hawks, AW149s and AW101s.

Poland ordered a total of 96 AH-64 Apaches under a USD 10 billion contract signed in August 2024. The Polish military is expected to become the largest Apache operator outside the United States.

Eight older AH-64D Apache helicopters arrived in Poland from the United States in June last year. They are being used to train Polish pilots and technical staff ahead of deliveries under the main contract.

(gs)

Source: IAR/PAP