Poland, the first European country to operate both the Soviet Hind and the American Apache

The Polish Army has been immersed for years in a transition that is displacing its old Soviet-era weapons systems.

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One of the Polish Army's most important modernization programs is the purchase of 96 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, a colossal 40 billion zloty (about $10 billion) contract that will make Poland the world's second largest operator of this aircraft, second only to the United States, its manufacturer, which has more than 700 helicopters of this type.

Deliveries of the first AH-64E helicopters are scheduled for 2028, with the entire batch of 96 aircraft to be completed by 2032. To begin training Polish crews on these new attack helicopters, Poland decided to lease eight second-hand AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters from the United States. The lease agreement was signed in February 2025 for 300 million zlotys.

On Tuesday, March 10, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced the arrival of the eighth and final AH-64D helicopter, stating: "Pilot and crew training is progressing as planned. This will ensure we are ready to receive the 96 helicopters purchased from the US and use them to strengthen our deterrence and defense capabilities."

These eight AH-64Ds are operated by the Polish Army Ground Forces' Wojska Aeromobilne (Airmobile Force), specifically the 1st Aviation Brigade, which operates from the 56th Air Base in Inowrocław. In addition to the new Apache Longbows, this brigade, formed in March 2011, also operates Polish-made PZL W-3PL "Głuszec" multi-purpose helicopters and Soviet-made Mil Mi-24D/W attack helicopters, an aircraft known in the USSR as a "flying tank" due to its firepower and armor.

The Mi-24, known as "Hind" by NATO (above), is the world's best-selling attack helicopter. Currently, Poland is one of only two NATO countries that still maintain this type of aircraft in active service. Bulgaria has six active Mi-24Vs and another six Mi-24Ds in storage. Hungary retired its last eight Mi-24P/V helicopters from service in early February 2026, while the Czech Republic retired its Mi-24V helicopters in 2023, replacing them with AH-1Z Viper.

Poland is the first European country to operate both the Mi-24 Hind and the AH-64 Apache simultaneously. Besides this Central European country, only Egypt operates both aircraft concurrently. The first Mi-24s arrived in Poland in 1979, with between 40 and 50 units in service. Currently, the Polish Army operates between 16 and 18 Mi-24s of the D and W versions (the Polish designation for the V version). These helicopters are now obsolete, and their retirement from service is planned for 2027, before the arrival of the AH-64E.

Meanwhile, Inowrocław Air Base will continue to offer the curious sight of Mi-24 Hind and AH-64 Apache helicopters flying together. The images we can see here were published by the 1st Aviation Brigade and the 56th Air Base on their respective Facebook pages. Interestingly, unlike the Hinds, which sport the characteristic Polish checkered insignia, the Apaches wear a low-visibility version in green, visible on their tails.

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Photos: 1 Brygada Lotnictwa Wojsk Lądowych / 56. Baza Lotnicza.