The Australian Military is about to welcome a brand new addition to its aviation functionality with the supply of 4 Boeing AH-64E Apache assault helicopters anticipated to start in late 2025. A complete of 29 Apaches are scheduled for full supply by 2029.
The acquisition of the 29 AH-64E Apaches, ordered below the LAND 4503 programme to progressively change the ageing Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) Eurocopter Tiger fleet.
The AH-64E Apaches are produced with a variety of Australian manufactured components, with closing meeting at Boeing’s Mesa, Arizona facility the place greater than 2,800 Apaches have been produced.
The Apaches supply mature, battle-proven techniques with manned-unmanned teaming integration, with the improved data sharing capabilities and digital connectivity. These options are tailor-made to Australia’s evolving safety atmosphere.
Main Common Jeremy King, Head of Joint Aviation Techniques Division praised the brand new acquisition: “the AH-64E Apache is probably the most modern and succesful assault helicopter on the earth”.
Manufacturing is advancing quickly with the very first Australian Apache, designated AT001, present process structural, wiring, and mechanical set up forward of deliberate flight-testing later within the 12 months. Preliminary working functionality is about for 2026, reaching full operational functionality by 2028.
The brand new fleet might be based mostly with the first Aviation Regiment of the Australian Military, which is relocating from Robertson Barracks in Darwin to RAAF Base Townsville in North Queensland to type a devoted helicopter hub alongside CH-47F Chinook items. The Australian Authorities has invested almost $700 million in upgrading amenities at Townsville in help of this transformation.
According to fashionable warfare traits, Australia is planning to function its Apaches in shut cooperation with armed drones, leveraging manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capabilities to spice up effectiveness in self-protection and battlefield surveillance.
The Australian Division of Defence’s procurement of the AH-64E Apaches signifies persevering with alignment with the US and aligned Indo-Pacific allies, including one other US-manufactured helicopter to its already US-dominated fleet of CH-47F Chinooks, UH-60M Black Hawks, and MH-60R Seahawk Romeos.
