ADF reveals first images of Townsville's new Apache attack helicopters

The Australian Defence Force has released the very first images of its new Apache attack helicopters to be based in Queensland.

An Australian Army pilot operates a United States Army AH-64E Apache while on exchange with the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade in Washington in March 2024. Picture: SSG Cayce Watson

The Australian Defence Force has released the very first images of its new Apache attack helicopters to be based in Queensland.

The ADF confirmed on Wednesday that construction of the Army’s first four AH-64E Apaches had reached the final assembly phase in the United States, bringing the military “a step closer to a new era of attack aviation”.

The fearsome aircraft are completing structural, electrical wiring, major sub-assembly and mechanical installation at the Boeing facility in Mesa, Arizona.

“The AH-64E Apache is the most contemporary and capable attack helicopter in the world,” said Major General Jeremy King, head of Joint-Aviation Systems Division.

“It allows us to continue to develop attack helicopter operations, armed reconnaissance helicopter operations, communications networking and, importantly, the ability to grow the teaming of crewed and uncrewed systems as we learn the lessons of modern warfare in the current environment.”

Defence Aviation leaders with one of Australia's first four AH-64E Apache attack helicopters in final assembly at the Boeing Defence facility in Mesa, Arizona. Defence is acquiring a fleet of 29 AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters through a Foreign Military Sales case with the United States as part of the Project Land 4503 Apache Attack Helicopter. Picture: Supplied

Defence aviation leaders attended a ceremony in Mesa earlier this year, where they signed their names to the fuselage of one of the aircraft.

The AH-64E Apache will be operated by 1st Aviation Regiment in Townsville once it is introduced into service.

The Australian Army's first AH-64E Apache helicopters are progressing through final assembly and production at the Boeing Defence Apache Facility in Mesa, Arizona. The AH-64E Apache will replace the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, bringing significant capability improvements that will enhance the lethality and tempo of land and amphibious force manoeuvres. Picture: Supplied

The 29 attack helicopters will progressively replace the Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters, beginning later this year.

Maj-Gen King said configuration alignment leveraged the United States’ training and support system.

The Australian Army's first AH-64E Apache helicopters are progressing through final assembly and production at the Boeing Defence Apache Facility in Mesa, Arizona. AH-64E Apache deliveries to Australia are expected to commence in late 2025. Picture: Supplied

“We can pick up the lessons, the engineering and the logistics that the US Army have applied to their aircraft relatively easily, and that’s something we’ve been able to do with both our Black Hawk and Chinook fleets as well,” he said.

“The CH-47F, UH-60M and MH-60R fleets have experienced high levels of in-service availability and interoperability (and) we expect AH-64E to achieve the same when introduced into service.”

Originally published as ADF reveals first images of Townsville's new Apache attack helicopters