The US State Department has greenlighted Australia’s request for sustainment services for its future fleet of Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters under the Foreign MilitarySales (FMS) scheme, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 23 August.
The proposed deal for AH-64E Apache Sustainment Support Services and associated equipment is worth an estimated cost of US$300 million, and includes contractor engineering, technical and logistics support, as well as training.
“The proposed sale will improve Australia’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing the necessary sustainment support to successfully employ its AH-64E Apache helicopters,” said the DSCA in its statement.
It will also improve Australia’s capability to support coalition operations and contribute to mutual security goals in the region,” the agency added.
The Australia Department of Defence (DoD) announced in January 2021 that it has selected the AH-64E Apache to replace the Australian Army’s current fleet of 22 Airbus Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARHs) under Project the Land 4503 programme.
“The Apache Guardian is the most lethal, most survivable, and lowest-risk option, meeting all [the DoD’s] capability, through-life support, security, and certification requirements,” said then-Defence Minister Linda Reynolds.
According to the DoD, the Land 4503 requirement calls for 29 helicopters including five for training. The cost of the 29 AH-64E Apaches has yet to be disclosed, but it is expected that the deal will be worth approximately A$4 billion inclusive of spares, sensors and other ancillary equipment, training, and associated infrastructure.
A DoD request for information (RfI) released in July 2019 called for an initial operational capability (IOC) of one squadron of 12 aircraft by 2026 with the ability to operationally deploy four of these aircraft. Full operational capability (FOC) with at least 12 deployable and five training aircraft is expected to occur by 2028.
by Jr Ng
