Perfect Procurement: The Australian Army Apache Deal #defencenews #usa #Australia #army
Channel: Soldiers Five
Date: 11/04/2024

As anyone with even the vaguest interest in military procurement is already well aware; most acquisitions are shit fights of blown budgets, scale creep, corruption and cover-ups.

So today I wanted to highlight a seemingly rare success amid a sea of expensive disasters, I present to you the Australian armies Apache Attack helicopter acquisition.

Known in Australian procurement circles as Land 4503 Phase 1, the Australian purchase of 29 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters via the US Foreign Military Sales program, has progressed without a hitch.

Replacing the disaster that was the Tiger ARH, the army has seemingly learned from their previous mistakes opting for the most off-the-shelf design available. 

No costly localisation changes no scope creep, three years into the project and it’s still sitting under its $3.5 Billion USD budget.

The army has elected to keep the Apache’s as close to their US counterparts as possible, keeping part costs low by dipping into the same logistical framework already servicing the 1200 Apache’s in service worldwide.