The British Army has deployed its latest Apache AH-64E attack helicopters to spearhead a NATO exercise, the largest such military drill since the Cold War.
The helicopters are participating in Exercise Steadfast Defender 24.
4 Regiment Army Air Corps Battlegroup (4 AAC BG), comprising Army Air Corps Apaches and Wildcat reconnaissance helicopters, along with Royal Air Force Chinook support helicopters, has been deployed under the command of the 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team, which falls under the newly established Joint Aviation Command.
This deployment, say the Ministry of Defence, showcases the UK’s readiness to respond to international crises, offering extensive lift, find, and attack capabilities through its helicopter fleet.
The deployment commenced from Wattisham, where over a dozen Apache, Wildcat, and Chinook helicopters assembled for their journey to the Baltic region. Accompanying the aerial units are approximately 130 vehicles, ranging from fuel tankers to Land Rovers, which are making the journey by road and rail. Additionally, the majority of the 500-strong complement of aircrew, engineers, and ground crew have flown out to support the deployment.
Lieutenant Colonel Dave Lambert, commander of 4 AAC BG, emphasised the significance of this deployment in a news release: “This is one of the largest overseas helicopter deployments we have done outside of Iraq and Afghanistan and almost certainly will be the largest thing that most of our people will have done. It provides a powerful contribution to support NATO training on Exercise Steadfast Defender. Led by the state-of-the-art Apache AH-64E, the capabilities we deliver are battle-winning and contribute fully to the combined arms battle.”
The deployment involves the Apaches taking part in Exercise Arrow in Finland, where they will conduct strike missions to support large-scale Finnish Army training. Subsequently, all three types of helicopters will operate together in Estonia under the command of the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, which serves as the British Army’s global response force.
Concurrently, British airborne forces are engaging with Estonian, Polish, and US troops in Exercise Swift Response. This exercise focuses on seizing a foothold against armed opposition, where air assault operations will see troops and equipment lifted by Chinooks.
Exercise Steadfast Defender 24 aims to test and refine NATO’s strategies for reinforcing European defences against near-peer adversaries, involving some 20,000 British personnel among a total of 90,000 troops from all 32 member nations of the alliance.
Given what happened to helicopters in the Ukraine are these still relevant?.
These were contracted before so the lessons? Don’t know, but stand off weapons now seem the most desirable. The “pop up” method with Apache is still sound in hilly country I would say, Ukraine is just flat with a big “F”, so Alligator and others are really sitting ducks for a decent Manpad.
US Army is getting Spike NLOS missiles for their Apaches precisely to not have to do pop ups.
Should have got Brimstone…
Apache with Hellfire missiles can stand-off up to 11km. Stand-off up to 10.5km with Hydra 70 rockets. Up to 4km with Chain Gun.
I’d disagree with that.
The targeting data can be fed to Apache from other platforms like RIVET, P8 or E7 or a drone.
So there is no need to put the platform at risk.
The Apache can scoot before the shot has landed – OK depending on the mention type.
That also fails to acocunt for NATO’s overwhelming air superiority and even the UKR have taken out S300 and 400’s…..neither of those have troubled the Israelis in their various actions. F35 should be well able to take those out with stand off weapons.
You probably get the S300/400 to engage with some ghost bogeys and then to take them out in a coordinated attack.
Since F35 rely on stealth why should they use stand-off missile like a 4G?
Much like tanks they are still relevant but they are expensive and increasingly niche with a large and vulnerable logistics foot print.
Looking a drones like Jackal you can rapidly see them disappearing. I think the UK spending billions to replace its D models wit G was a massive mistake. I could see these being scrapped in ten years and replaced by a combination of drones and Boxer operating Brimstone.
Despite Boeing and the MOD claims everyone else with D models and older seems to still be happily operating them and I don’t see what the D could not have stayed in service for another ten years until drones were ready.
state-of-the-art Apache AH-64E
Lots of considerations here.
In Ukraine, both sides are operating attack helicopters but only Russia seems to be really using them for anything beyond unguided rocket barrages. But only the very newest models of Russian attack helo have mast mounted sights, so they have to be completely out of cover to find a target. On top of that, only the newest of their ATGMs are fire and forget, so coupled with the lack of masts they have to remain out of cover for the entire engagement. To finish it off, only the newer ATGMs are outside of Stinger range, so they have to be inside MANPADS envelopes to fire.
In comparison, AH-64E has mast-mounted sight, and can also take targeting from offboard sensors- allowing them to limit their exposure to enemy sensors. Some of the Hellfire types, and JAGM (and Brimstone, cough cough) have fire and forget mode, so the helicopter can just fire and move right out of the way. ATGM ranges are also on par with the newest Russian ones, so outside of MANPADs range.
All told, the Apache is a LOT more survivable than the Russian helicopters. Not to say they’re invincible- they’re certainly more vulnerable than they used to be. But I don’t think it’s the end of attack helicopters. Especially if they’re equipped with Brimstone 3 and other missiles with NLOS ranges…
Indeed, and AAC Apache would be operating under ISTAR/AWACS, F-35, Typhoon top cover dealing with any Sukoi / Mig bogies. So not like the situation in Ukraine at all.
If we phased out everythingfor which there is a counter-system, we would not have anything left in the Inventory – and that includes dismounted soldiers (they are the most vulnerable of all) – and all RAF aircraft and RN ships and subs would have to be scrapped too…
Then what would we replace these ‘vulnerable’ platforms and manpower with?
Also, AH should pop up from cover, shoot and move on. We do that – perhaps the Russians don’t with their AH due to poor drills or poor training.
And yet they are going to spend over 800mil arming them with a US ATGW that has less range, less capabilities and isnt even IM compliant.
The usual “Integration cost” “Its quicker into service ” etc have been spouted many a time.
Just put Brimstone 3 on it.
Keep the money in the UK building Brimstone .
Its on Fixed wing fast jets and drones. Its going to end up being the overwatch choice for the Army to replace the capability lost when Swingfire went decades ago. Its proven in Ukr from launchers knocked up by some UK boffin type in their proverbial shed!
Just on the logistics front it makes sense let alone the other factors.