Dutch Apaches raised to AH-64E standard

The US State Department has approved Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands of items and services to support the upgrade/ remanufacture of its AH-64D Block II Apache attack helicopter to AH-64E configuration. The estimated cost of the work is $1.191bn, including that for four engines, targeting and other systems. The deal, revealed on 20 February by the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency, still awaits approval from Congress. Twentyeight AH-64D Block IIs are involved in the standard revision, also known as Apache Guardian and will include bringing the 51 remaining engines to T700-GE-701D standard (42 engines to be installed, plus nine as spares).