British Army Retires Apache AH MK1 Attack Helicopter With Final Flypast
The British Army marked the impending retirement of its Apache AH MK1 with a final flypast of the attack helicopter across England on March 25, ceremonially closing out the attack helicopter’s 23 years of service.
A flight of two AH MK1s and two AH-64Es conducted a flight across 15 locations throughout England, including London, the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, and RAF Shawbury in Shropshire before the AH MK1s landed for the final time at Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk.
According to the Army Air Corps’ 3rd Regiment, the first British Army unit flying the AH-64E set to replace the AH MK1, the crew of the flypast contained pilots from every front line Apache squadron, “showcasing the uniqueness of the AAC with Officers and Soldiers from a variety of backgrounds including the Paras, Marines and Royal Armoured Corps”.
67 of the AH MK1s were built between 1998 and 2004, with the Apache receiving initial clearance for service in 2001 and the first Apache-equipped regiment declared fully operational in 2005. The AH MK1’s differences from the AH-64D Apache Longbow include different engines built by Rolls Royce and a different defensive aides suite. The AH MK1 also has a folding main rotor for storage in confined areas like ships, supporting its use from Royal Navy helicopter carriers.
The AH MK1 saw combat in Afghanistan and Libya, with Prince Harry famously deploying to Afghanistan as an Apache pilot with 662 Squadron in 2012. Its final operational deployment was for Operation Clockwork in January, a training exercise held in Arctic winter conditions in Norway, with the farewell flight conducted shortly after the Apaches’ return.
Out of the 66 surviving AH MK1s, 50 of them will be remanufactured to AH-64Ev6 specification, with the first rebuilt AH-64Es delivered in November 2020. Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), the UK’s military procurement agency, declared the Royal Army’s AH-64E fleet ready for duty in November 2023. According to DE&S, deliveries of the AH-64Es are “on track” for full operating capability for all 50 to be reached in 2026.