East Front News #7: Giant Apache Deal; Modi in Poland, Ukrainian offensive

Attack on Polish Soldiers in Lebanon

A rocket attack occurred in southern Lebanon, where a UNIFIL convoy was located. The attack took place on Saturday evening. The damaged vehicle contained 8 soldiers—two Poles and six Irishmen—none of whom were injured. The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces is monitoring the security situation in the region. Rising tensions in the Middle East and further major attacks could force a change in the nature of Polish military, and later diplomatic, presence. From a Polish perspective, the current mood in the Middle East is very concerning, and it will soon be a year since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict. It is worth noting that any actions diverting attention from the Russian threat undermine security in Central and Eastern Europe.

Narendra Modi’s Visit to Poland and Ukraine

The Indian Prime Minister will visit next week, marking the first visit since 1979. Key topics of the state visit will include revitalizing bilateral ties, with an emphasis on defense cooperation and strategic planning. Economic issues will also be addressed. Notably, India has appointed its first Defense Attaché in Warsaw this year after several decades. Modi will meet with President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. He will also visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the memorial for the Battle of Monte Cassino. Poles and Indians were part of the large Allied coalition in the major battles of Tobruk and Monte Cassino in 1944. Following this, the Indian Prime Minister will travel to Ukraine. New Delhi aims to play a key role in resolving the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Modi recently met with Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron. We now await a new chapter in relations between Poland and India.

Apache Guardian for Poland

Polish Ministry of Defence has signed an agreement (Letter of Offer and Acceptance, LOA) with the U.S. government for the delivery of 96 AH-64E Guardian Apache attack helicopters, along with a logistics and training package, as well as a supply of weapons and spare parts. This will make Poland the second-largest user of these helicopters in the world, after the United States, with the contract valued at approximately 40 billion PLN (USD 10 billion). The deliveries of the helicopters will take place between 2028 and 2032. US Army will likely be heavily involved in training of Polish pilots and maintenance personnel, particularly as Polish Army Aviation is now using obsolete Mi-24 and Mi-2 helicopters. The contract is a qualitative and quantitative boost for the Polish Army Aviation, and at the same time a training and logistic challenge. It is worth mentioning that US Army Aviation units with Apache helicopters have been present in Poland on a rotational basis for several years now. Prior to signing of LOA, relevant offset agreements were signed to support the sustainment of Apaches, their weapons and an entire family of rotary wing aircraft engines in Polish defence companies.

Polish Patriot launchers ordered

Raytheon Poland and Huta Stalowa Wola S.A. have signed a business to business agreement, on the basis of which the Polish company will produce 48 M903 launchers which will be used in Polish Patriot systems that are going to be delivered between 2027 and 2029. This contract is a follow-up to the government-to-government (FMS) agreement for the second phase of the Wisła program, which includes 48 M903 launchers along with several hundred PAC-3 MSE missiles, signed in September 2023. Based on this agreement, the U.S. government, in accordance with FMS procedures, commissions the execution. For the second phase of the Wisła programme, Poland also acquired LTAMDS radars (also in September 2023) and the IBCS battle management system (in February 2024, IBCS will also be used in over 20 Narew system batteries). The total value of the signed contracts exceeds $11 billion, with more than $9 billion allocated for launchers, missiles, and LTAMDS radars.

Hundreds of AMRAAM Missiles for the Polish Air Force

The Armament Agency has signed a contract for „several hundred” AIM-120C AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. The contract is worth 850 USD million. This is an execution agreement to a FMS approval, which has been place with the State Department and Congress since March 2024. The maximum package allowed for the purchase of up to 745 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles and support for up to USD 1.69 billion. The deliveries from the contract that has been signed will take place between 2029 and 2033. The AIM-120 can be used as an armament for both the F-16 and the latest F-35A aircraft. Poland will soon have at least 80 of both (48+32 respectively). In the future, the FA-50PL may also be integrated with the AMRAAM (36 have been purchased).

Ukrainian Counterattack in Kursk Region of Russia – with Polish-provided equipment

On 6^th August 2024, Ukraine has launched a counterattack into Russia Kursk region. This operation, with the participation of several Ukrainian brigades supported by heavy artillery, electronic warfare, Special Operations Forces and aviation is understood prevent Russia from attacking through the border, just like Moscow has been doing it in neighboring Kharkiv region of Ukraine. During the first week of the operation, Ukraine has captured more than 1000 square kilometers of Russian territory, significantly degrading Russian logistics in the zones close to border. While the outcome of the operation is unclear for now as both Russia and Ukraine suffer losses, it is obvious that Russia has been surprised by the operation both on tactical and operational level. It is also worth mentioning that among various other types of equipment, some of the Polish-provided systems including PT-91 Twardy Main Battle Tanks, Rosomak wheeled APCs and Krab howitzers are being used during the operation.

East Front News is a weekly newsletter and article on Defence24.com summarizing the past week’s most important events concerning security and the situation in the Central and Eastern Europe region. It includes original opinions and comments, along with key news items significant from a Polish perspective.

Jakub Palowski, Deputy Ed. in Chief & Aleksander Olech, PhD