The UK Ministry of Defence is considering integrating precision-guided APKWS rockets into the armament of the British Army's AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The potential integration is provisionally scheduled for 2027, according to Luke Pollard, the UK's Minister for Defence Procurement.
Pollard stated that APKWS would provide commanders with greater flexibility by enabling them to "engage a wide range of targets with a controlled effect," as quoted by UK Defence Journal. His comments suggest that the UK views APKWS primarily as a strike capability against ground targets rather than as a counter-drone weapon.
Read more: How Much APKWS II Rockets Cost, Used by Ukraine and the U.S. to Shoot Down Shahed Drones
This approach contrasts with the broader trend. Given the relatively low cost of APKWS and its proven performance on the battlefield in Ukraine, the system has gained popularity specifically as an anti-drone solution. The US Air Force is already actively using APKWS to counter UAVs in the Middle East and is integrating the rockets onto fighter aircraft. More recently, it has also become known that Ukrainian F-16s are using APKWS II rockets to intercept Shahed drones.
As for the UK, while there are plans to integrate APKWS onto Apache helicopters, no final procurement decision has yet been made.
Moreover, the Ministry of Defence is also assessing the feasibility of integrating these rockets onto additional platforms, not limited solely to Apache helicopters.
Previously, Defense Express reported that the UK had announced its choice of a well-known drone to accompany its latest Apache helicopters, a decision that raised more than a few questions.
Read more: 108 Enemy Aircraft Downed, $25M Saved How F-16s Beat Houthis With Obsolete Missiles, APKWS
