Britain begins rearmament with new AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters. According to the press service of the British Ministry of Defense, the first two helicopters for army aviation arrived at Wattisham base.
The helicopters were transferred from the USA aboard the RAF C-17 Globemaster III, they were accompanied by service personnel from the 7th Royal Air Force Support Battalion for Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (7 Avn Spt Bn REME).
New machines will allow the UK to maintain its combat capability of attack helicopters for decades to come thanks to improved digital capabilities. The new helicopter is already in service with the US Army and other countries
– according to the message of the British military department.
Contract of 50 new attack helicopters AH-64E was signed in 2016 year. All helicopters will be delivered under the American Foreign Military Sales program (FMS). New AH-64E Apache Guardian should replace 66 helicopters WAH-64D Block I Apache Longbow AH.1, collected under license in the 1990s by Westland (then AgustaWestland) at the Yeovil plant. All helicopters will be fully manufactured by the American Boeing facility and are to be delivered to the UK in 2020-2024 years.
Expected, that the first flights of the AH-64E in the UK will begin in July 2021 of the year. New helicopters will serve in the 1st Air Brigade of the British Army along with AH1 Wildcats.
