New era of attack aviation for Army arrives
by ANZDD on 06-Oct-2025

The Australian Army’s new attack helicopters have landed in Australia, with the delivery of the first two AH-64E Apaches to RAAF Base Townsville.
Acquired through foreign military sales with the United States, the Apache provides critical aviation effects including reconnaissance, communications and networking, firepower and offensive support.
These proven helicopters are a key element of Army’s transformation into a force optimised for littoral manoeuvre and long-range strike.
Boeing Defence Australia will provide support to the new fleet of Apaches under a seven‑year contract worth $306 million.
The contract will deliver maintenance, engineering, training and logistics services, and is expected to provide more than 240 industry jobs across Queensland, including 170 jobs in Townsville.
Additional training and employment opportunities are expected to be created through the establishment of the Townsville Aviation Training Academy, which will deliver technical courses to train new industry maintenance personnel for the AH-64E Apache and CH-47F Chinook helicopter fleets.
The Albanese Government is also investing $700 million to provide essential infrastructure upgrades and facilities works at RAAF Base Townsville to support the introduction of the Apache fleet, and the relocation of the 1st Aviation Regiment and 16th Aviation Brigade Headquarters. The construction phase of this project is expected to create 275 jobs in the Townsville region.
To support the AH-64E’s introduction into service, Australian Army personnel have been undertaking training in the United States and the United Kingdom, with a number of air and ground crew already qualified on the Apache.
All 29 Apache aircraft expected to be delivered by 2029.
Source: Defence Media