A new offset agreement with Lockheed Martin for Apache helicopter servicing in Łódź has sparked a political row in Poland over credit for the deal.
Apache Helicopter Servicing Center to be Established in Łódź
A center for servicing the Apache helicopters ordered by Poland will be established in Łódź. The announcement came as Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised the new offset agreement with Lockheed Martin, while the opposition criticized the move as an attempt to claim credit for prior achievements.
Offset Agreements Signed with Lockheed Martin
On Monday, executive offset agreements were signed between Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze nr 1 (WZL1) and Lockheed Martin. The manufacturer of the Apache helicopters will share some of its technological expertise with Poland.
The signing of the offset agreements is part of a larger contract for the purchase of 96 AH-64E Apache combat helicopters, a deal valued at nearly $11 billion. The agreements signed on Monday are worth $300 million and will facilitate the creation of a center to service the helicopters’ targeting and navigation systems.
Ensuring Operational Readiness
WZL1 President Jacek Goszczyński stated that these capabilities will ensure a high level of operational readiness for the Apache fleet in the Polish Armed Forces, directly contributing to national security.
Political Fallout and Accusations
The signing ceremony evolved into a political event, with Prime Minister Tusk referencing past helicopter procurement attempts, specifically the canceled deal for French Caracale helicopters under the previous PiS government. He emphasized his commitment to honoring contracts with allies while negotiating firmly in Poland’s interests.
Tusk asserted that Poland had negotiated favorable terms with the Americans, highlighting Poland’s role as a loyal, responsible, and demanding partner.
Opposition Claims Credit
The Prime Minister’s statements drew criticism from the Law and Justice (PiS) party, with accusations that the current government was attempting to take credit for the work of the previous administration. Mateusz Morawiecki stated that the contract for 96 helicopters was signed by the United Right government in September 2023.
Timeline of the Procurement Process
The U.S. State Department approved the sale of 96 Apache helicopters to Poland in August 2023, while the previous government, under Minister Mariusz Błaszczak, announced the signing of the first offset agreement in late September 2023. Błaszczak stated that WZL1 would service the radars and navigation systems of the Apache helicopters.
Nearly a year after the change in government, in August 2024, the Ministry of National Defence, under Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, signed the purchase agreement with U.S. authorities, initiating negotiations on the executive offset agreements finalized this week in Łódź.
Delivery Schedule
The first AH-64E Apache helicopters are expected to arrive in Poland in 2028, with the procurement process concluding in 2032. During this period, the Polish army will lease eight older-model helicopters.