Australia has taken delivery of the first pair of Boeing AH-64E Apaches, marking the beginning of the end for its army’s Airbus Tiger attack helicopters.
Canberra acquired 29 AH-64Es in 2021 under a wider helicopter replacement program that also saw the premature exit of the NH90 utility helicopter in favor of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.
Two additional Apaches are scheduled for delivery before year’s end. Brig. Steven Cleggett, director general of Army Aviation Systems, said in March that four more AH-64Es will be handed over in 2026, with the fleet expected to reach initial operational capability in 2028.
The Australian Apaches will also be equipped for teaming operations with uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), a capability that the army sees playing a central role as it looks at future operational concepts.
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