Recent social media posts have unveiled the presence of Polish Mi-24 attack helicopters en route to Ukraine. Various images and videos depict the helicopters being transported on tractor-trailers along Poland’s highways. While the exact quantity of Mi-24 attack helicopters dispatched to Ukraine remains undisclosed, initial estimates suggest it is fewer than twelve units. Currently, the Polish Armed Forces possess approximately 28 Mi-24 attack helicopters, operating in both D and B configurations. However, plans are underway to replace these aircraft with Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
A few years back, the acquisition of the Kruk attack helicopters was defined as one of the modernization priorities. The Mi-24 helicopters currently operated by the Polish military have undergone missions at their disposal. They deploy post-Soviet unguided missiles and gun pods, as well as .50-caliber machine gun mounted in the nose turret. This renders the platform in question incapable of effectively fighting main battle tanks. Poland has modified its Kruk attack helicopter program, with key decisions still to be made before a manufacturer can be selected to produce new aircraft.
The Mi-24 (NATO reporting name: Hind) is a large helicopter gunship, attack helicopter, and low-capacity troop transport with room for eight passengers. It is produced by Mi Moscow Helicopter Plant and was introduced by the Soviet Air Force in 1972. The helicopter is currently in use by 58 countries. During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, both Ukraine and Russia have employed Mi-24 helicopters. On April 1, 2022, two Ukrainian Mi-24s reportedly entered Russia and attacked an oil storage facility in Belgorod. In May 2022, the Czech Republic donated Mi-24 helicopters to Ukraine.
The government of Poland announced that Boeing’s AH-64 Apache has been selected for its Kruk Attack Helicopter program. An Apache selection strengthens US-Polish military ties by enhancing interoperability and cooperation between Poland, the US Army, and NATO nations. The Polish Ministry of Defence has announced that the country seeks to procure a total of 96 AH-64E Guardian U6 Apache attack helicopters for the Kruk program. The Boeing AH-64E U6 Apache (Version 6) is the most modern configuration of the Apache attack helicopter and is ready for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) battlefield.
