Australia has completed signing an agreement to purchase 29 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, FlightGlobal writes on March 1.
Australian government Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy signed an Apache deal with American Airframer on March 1 at the Avalon airshow near Melbourne.
“This is a contract worth 4.2 billion Australian dollars (215 billion rubles), which will expand the capabilities of the Australian Defense Forces and, in particular, the Australian Army.”Conroy said.
The purchase makes Australia the 18th Apache customer in the world, according to Boeing. General Jeremy King, head of Joint Systems for the Australian Air Force, says the service hopes to start receiving helicopters in 2026.
“The Department of Defense has worked diligently with the US Army, Boeing, and local industry to ensure that we provide the best opportunities for [ВС Австралии]__, says King.
The Australian military currently operates 22 of Airbus Helicopters’ troubled Tiger Attack helicopters, according to Cirium.
The March 1 deal will also expand the role of Australian suppliers in the AH-64E supply chain. Five national companies will supply cables, wire harnesses and avionics cockpit components for Australia’s Apache fleet.
Separately, the Australian Air Force announced it would increase purchases of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat autonomous fighter jet, which Canberra is developing together with Boeing. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will now procure a total of 10 experimental jets that are being developed to interoperate with conventional fighters.
Australia has invested A$600 million ($30.5 billion) in developing the MQ-28, which uses components from 55 domestic suppliers, Conroy said.
Also read: Australia to increase spending on the military and military-industrial complex
Source: Rossa Primavera
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