AMSTERDAM -- The Netherlands Ministry of Defense has outlined a plan to pursue a remanufacture of the existing Royal Netherlands Air Force fleet of Boeing Apache AH-64D attack helicopters. The current inventory of Apaches amounts to 28 helicopters.
Under the proposed arrangement these would undergo modifications that would see more powerful engines, new transmissions and rotor blades, and other assorted components installed to bring the platforms up to the latest AH-64E standard. The remanufacture would align the Dutch Apache's with those of its ally, the U.S., in both configuration and in support/maintenance. The U.S. Army has opted to stop supporting the D standard Apache, thus clearing a path forward for the Dutch decision. Making it even easier to opt for the E configuration is that close NATO ally, the United Kingdom, will also be moving forward with its own remanufacturing effort on the British Army's legacy Boeing-Westland AH1 Apaches.
The Netherlands began fielding its fleet of Apaches in 1997, with full delivery of the type completed in 2002. If the remanufacture project - estimated at between EUR250 million ($298 million) and EUR1 billion - goes forward as planned work will be conducted between 2021 and 2025. Upon completion the AH-64E standard Apaches will remain operational until 2050.
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