Boeing awarded $1.9B modification to produce Apache helicopters for U.S., Australia, other nations

By Dan Schere / March 20, 2023 at 11:26 AM

Boeing has been awarded a $1.9 billion modification to produce 184 AH-64E Apache helicopters for the U.S. Army, Australia and other international customers, the Defense Department announced in a March 17 notice.

The U.S. Army will receive 115 remanufactured Apaches, and another 15 will be procured as options, according to a Boeing press release. The other 54 Apaches will be sent to Australia and other nations as part of foreign military sales.

The Apaches delivered to Australia will be the first sent to the country, according to Boeing. Christina Upah, Boeing’s vice president of Attack Helicopter Programs, said in a statement that the company is “enhancing the U.S. Army’s attack fleet, while supporting additional partner nations and welcoming our newest Apache customer, the Australian Army.”

The $1.9 billion award increases the value of the Army’s contract with Boeing to $2.1 billion, and could potentially increase to more than $3.8 billion with future obligations, according to the company.

The Army’s Apache fleet recently surpassed 5 million flight hours, and there are currently more than 1,275 of the aircraft operating globally, according to Boeing.

The estimated completion date is Dec. 31, 2027, according to the announcement.

217453