Army Technology

British Army’s rebuilt AH-64E Apache fleet nears completion

Of 50 Apache E models planned, 47 have now been delivered to the UK military by US defence prime Boeing.

The UK has received three more AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, as the programme to deliver 50 remanufactured airframes into British Army service nears completion.

In a 20 February 2025, social media post, the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) acquisition arm, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), said the 45th, 46th and 47th of the new Apache E models have been transported from the US to the UK.

A total of 50 AH-64E helicopters will be delivered to the British Army by US defence and aerospace prime Boeing.

It was reported by Army Technology 2024 that the MoD’s acquisition of 50 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters via a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) with the US government appeared to be running to budget.

Detailing the currently initial procurement cost of the UK Apache FMS with the US, then Conservative UK Defence Procurement Minister James Cartlidge said the programme forecast was £1.793bn ($2.3bn) against an approval of £1.999bn.

This is broadly on track with the figures outlined in the earlier FMS agreement between the UK and US.

The AH-64E Apaches have been airlifted to the UK from their remanufacturing site in the United States. Credit: DE&S

In 2020, the UK MoD’s DE&S finalised the FMS with the US to buy 50 AH-64Es, worth approximately $2.3bn at the time, with the first two aircraft arriving in November 2020. By February 2024, 38 airframes had been delivered, ahead of what was planned to be the arrival of the final dozen AH-64Es by the end of the year.

However, with the delivery of three more remanufactured airframes in February 2025, a final package of three AH-64Es is still outstanding for the UK Armed Forces.

Initial Operating Capability was declared in May 2023, with a Full Operating Capability scheduled early 2026, according to DE&S.

DE&S states a large number of parts from the Mk1 are being used in the production of the E model, which reduces production costs, effectively remanufacturing the aircraft with upgraded and updated capabilities.

New capabilities with the AH-64E compared to the D variant include improved rotor blades, engine output, maritime mode radar, and weaponry.

While more capable than the D model, the acquisition of the AH-64E will see a reduction in fleet size, dropping from 66 to 50 airframes.