At the end of February, after delivering units 45, 46, and 47, the American company Boeing confirmed that it has completed the delivery of the last of the 50 new AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to the British Army. To mark this milestone, a ceremony was held at the company’s facilities in Mesa, Arizona, with the presence of members of the British Army and the Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) agency of the UK Ministry of Defence.

Quoting official statements, Mark Langrill, Director of Uncrewed Air Systems and Rotary Wing at DE&S, stated: “We are incredibly proud to accept such a cutting-edge capability and to receive the final airframe for the British Army’s fleet. The Apache program is being delivered by a team comprising DE&S members, industry, and our British Army colleagues, all sharing a common goal: to bring the most up-to-date version of this battle-winning aircraft into service while creating and supporting jobs and skills in the UK.”

With all 50 units now delivered, the United Kingdom has its full fleet of AH-64E Apache helicopters, which will be split between two main locations. The majority of the fleet will operate from Wattisham Flying Station in Suffolk, while those assigned for crew training are based at the British Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire.

Reviewing the platform’s characteristics, the new British Army Apache helicopters were acquired in the E variant, the most modern of its type. Purchased to replace the older Apache Mk1 models, these aircraft feature upgraded engines capable of reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h, new optical and thermal sights, and passive detection systems that enhance their operational capabilities. In terms of weaponry, each unit can carry up to 76 Hydra 70 mm rockets, 16 Hellfire missiles, and 1,200 rounds of 30 mm ammunition for its cannon.

Colonel David Amlôt, representative of the British Army’s Combat Aviation Programme, commented: “The AH-64E Apache Guardian is the world’s most advanced attack helicopter. Combat-proven and modernized, it is a fully integrated weapons system designed to fight in multi-domain operations across complex and highly contested battlespaces, from the desert to the Arctic (…) The AH-64E is a key element of the UK’s deterrence and is integral to the British Army’s contribution to NATO’s New Force Model and Forward Land Forces. Thanks to this acquisition, we will see greater interoperability with our NATO partners and allies.”

Beyond the capability boost brought by these new systems, the Apache acquisition program has also generated over 300 skilled jobs in the UK, involving a total of 70 local suppliers—33 of them being small and medium-sized enterprises. In practical terms, local media reports that approximately 6% of the global Apache system supply chain, which already serves 19 users worldwide, is based in the UK.

Images used for illustrative purposes.

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