UK mothballs quarter of Apache fleet with end of Afghan ops

[Major Shaitan Singh]

The UK now has an operational fleet of 50 Apache helicopters, following the mothballing of 16 platforms with the end of combat operations in Afghanistan. Source: IHS/Patrick Allen
The UK has mothballed a quarter of its AgustaWestland-Boeing WAH-64 Apache Longbow AH.1 helicopters following the end of combat operations in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed to IHS Jane's on 19 March.

In January, 16 of the British Army's 66 Apaches (67 were procured, but one was lost in an accident in Helmand Province) were placed into storage, leaving a force of 50 helicopters now operating out of Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk.

"The 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review and 2012 Planning Round identified the need to adjust the Apache aircraft numbers in line with the drawdown of operations in Afghanistan. With the end of combat operations, the fleet was adjusted to 50 in January 2015," said an MoD spokesperson.

While the 16 helicopters have been withdrawn from service, the MoD said 'key components' will be removed as required to sustain the remaining fleet.

The MoD did not disclose if the drawdown of Apache numbers will affect the Army Air Corps' force structure. Currently, the Apache is fielded by 653 (operational conversion unit), 662, and 663 Squadrons of 3 (Attack) Regiment, and 656 and 664 Squadrons of 4 (Attack) Regiment.

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As it consolidates its current fleet the MoD is also assessing its options for maintaining the UK's attack helicopter capability out to 2040 and beyond.

In early March industry sources disclosed that the MoD has released a request for information (RfI) for remanufacturing the army's current AH-64D Block 1-standard helicopters into the latest variant AH-64E Guardian under the Apache Helicopter Capability Sustainment Programme. This work would probably involve cross-decking equipment such as engines and sensors from the current aircraft onto newly manufactured airframes.

The MoD has stated that it is looking to continue the capability at a strength of 50 helicopters and that a decision on the way forward is expected in March 2016.