MOD chief: U.S. State Department approves sale of 96 Apache helicopters to Poland

NATO-member Poland has requested 96 of the Apache attack helicopters and related equipment, including 1,844 Hellfire missiles and 508 Stinger missiles, the Pentagon said.

Poland has made boosting its military a priority following Russia's invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe," we read in a statement released by the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified the U.S. Congress of the possible sale on Monday.

Poland's Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak welcomed the announcement on X. "Important news! The State Department has approved the sale of 96 attack helicopters AH-64E Apache. In line with my arrangements with Defense Secretary L. Austin, until the procedures have been concluded and helicopters purchased by Poland delivered, the U.S. Army will provide us with Apache helicopters from its own stock," the minister wrote.

According to the DoD, if concluded, the deal "will improve Poland’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force that is capable of deterring adversaries and participating in NATO operations".

"Poland will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces."

Despite approval by the State Department, the notification does not indicate that a contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded.

The Pentagon said Boeing and Lockheed Martin are the prime contractors for the weapons.