Withdrawal Ceremony Holds Farewell Flight for Retired UK-Built Apache Helicopters
The British Army Air Corps is bidding farewell to its locally assembled Apache attack helicopters, the AH1, after a 23-year service. The AH1, a UK-modified version of the AH-64D using the Safran-made RTM322 engine, is being replaced by re-manufactured AH-64Es supplied directly from Boeing.
This transition marks a significant milestone for the British Army, as they benefit from a logistics chain that supports a larger worldwide fleet, an extensive update roadmap, and the ability to work more closely with its U.S. counterparts on the battlefield. The AH-64Es share forward refueling and arming points with the U.S. Army, something commanders said was difficult with the previous model.
The AH-64Es are being provided through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. These new helicopters are powered by the General Electric T700-701D engine and are expected to be in service by 2025, with all 50 AH-64Es slated to be in operation by that time.
The UK has already taken delivery of 36 of its planned fleet of 50 AH-64Es. Other European countries, such as the Netherlands and Poland, are joining the UK in fielding the AH-64E. The Netherlands has begun the first domestic training flights of its AH-64Es, while Poland has the AH-64E on order.
Besides the United Kingdom, Poland is a European country involved with the AH-64E Apache. Tests with the AH-64Ev6 Apache were conducted in Poland in August 2025, although no other European countries are explicitly indicated in the search results as having taken the AH-64E Apache into service.
The retirement of the AH1s was marked by a retirement flypast at around 15 locations in the UK on March 25. The AH1s have seen action in various operations, including in Afghanistan and Libya, operating from the Royal Navy helicopter carrier, HMS Ocean.
The U.S. Army recently marked 40 years since deliveries of the first AH-64A Apaches in early 1984. The Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery database was referenced in the article. Army commanders declared the AH-64E as ready for operations in October 2023. Most of the 67 AH1 models purchased have been dismantled, with components reused as part of the re-manufacturing process.
As the British Army moves forward with its new AH-64Es, they look towards a future of enhanced capabilities, improved logistics, and closer cooperation with their U.S. allies.
