The United Arab Emirates is starting to seek an upgrade of its Boeing Apaches to AH-64D Apache Longbow standard. Elsewhere in the Middle East, Bahrain and Jordan are set to seek upgrades for their Bell AH-1E/F Cobras.
Along with neighbouring Saudi Arabia, the UAE has a desire to upgrade its Apaches. The UAE has 30 AH-64As and has deployed the machine to Kosovo as part of the United Nations' presence.
US sources say the air force also wants new-build AH-64Ds so it can increase the number of aircraft allocated to operational squadrons.
One source says that the UAE AH-64As will likely be upgraded after the introduction of the Lockheed Martin Arrowhead improved piloting and weapons aiming visual system.
The source adds the UAE will also issue a request for an electronic warfare suite for the upgraded Apache. Likely bidders include Northrop Grumman and a Thales/EADS team, selected to provide EW equipment for recently ordered Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 60s and Dassault Mirage 2000-9s respectively, as well as ITT, which has been selected by the US Army to provide the AH-64D's ALQ-211 integrated radio frequency countermeasures; and BAE Systems, which has developed the Helicopter Integrated Defence Aids Systems for British Army Apache AH1s. Selecting Northrop Grumman or Thales/EADS would give the helicopter fleet commonality with the air force's fast jets.
Source: Flight International
