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The war in Ukraine has dramatically accelerated the development of some military technology – and challenged some older ones.
Back in 2022 I looked at one system that had had a pretty hard year – the helicopters, and concluded that while they still had a role (particularly the transport helos), technology and trends were clearly challenging the attack helicopters in new ways.
Today, I look at how the situation has arguably gotten even harder in 2025, and how some nations are choosing to revise their plans for these very dangerous (and very expensive) systems.
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/PerunAU
Reading and Sourcing (partial):
Original video "End of the helicopter? (no) (2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnoKpXvj41A
Chieftain video "No, the attack helo is not dead" (2024)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1E6FXHQhDQ
Germany Tiger early retirement:
https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/germany-confirms-earlier-2032-retirement-date-for-tiger-attack-helicopters
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/12/14/germany-spends-23-billion-on-airbus-light-attack-helicopters/
Reporting on U.S. AH-64 fleet changes
https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/us-army-seeks-to-pure-fleet-helicopter-inventory-by-retiring-older-models/162979.article
https://defence-industry.eu/u-s-army-plans-reduction-of-ah-64d-apache-helicopter-fleet-amid-broader-forces-reform/
U.S. Military reimbursement rates (FY2025)
https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/rates/fy2025/2025_b_c.pdf
RAND – China looks to Ukraine War for Guidance on Attack Helicopters
https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2024/02/china-looks-to-ukraine-war-for-guidance-on-attack-helicopters.html
RUSI – US Army Cuts Signal Emphasis on Readiness
https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/us-army-cuts-signal-emphasis-readiness
Mi-17 downing in Myanmar by FPV
https://www.twz.com/air/mi-17-appears-to-have-been-downed-by-fpv-drone-in-myanmar
Mi-24 drone hunting kill markings
https://www.reddit.com/r/Helicopters/comments/1ip7sba/czechsupplied_mil_mi24v_hind_helicopter_gunship/
Improvised Syrian artillery
https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2015/08/21/hell-cannons-from-minor-nuisance-to-major-threat-the-evolution-of-syrian-opposition-siege-artillery/
M88A3 cancellation
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2025/07/29/old-tank-recovery-vehicles-get-new-life-as-m88a3-is-nixed/
Poland Apache buy
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/08/13/poland-buys-96-apache-helicopters-to-boost-attack-capabilities/
Reporting on attack helo cancellations/divestments
https://www.twz.com/air/south-korea-canceling-ah-64-apache-buy-a-sign-of-whats-to-come
https://www.defensenews.com/smr/defending-the-pacific/2023/02/09/japan-to-replace-attack-observation-helos-with-drone-fleet/
https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/us-army-targets-obsolete-aircraft-for-cuts-including-ah-64d-and-mq-1c/162841.article
Netherlands JAGM sale
https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/jagm-179m-netherlands-approval-us/
Enhanced version of Ka-52 appears
https://www.twz.com/enhanced-version-of-russias-ka-52-attack-helicopter-appears
Boeing's plan for AH-64 serving into the 2060s
https://www.twz.com/air/boeings-plan-for-modernized-ah-64-apaches-serving-into-the-2060s
Reporting on E-7
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/06/air-force-cancels-e-7-wedgetail-citing-survivability-and-cost-concerns/
Reporting on initial ATACMS strikes (2022)
https://www.twz.com/destruction-from-ukraines-first-atacms-strike-now-apparent
KA-52 friendly fire (2024)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2024/08/15/video-shows-russian-ka-52-helicopter-shooting-up-friendly-column-in-kursk/
Caveats u0026 Comments:
All normal caveats and comments apply. In particular β I note that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete examination of the topic and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other any other views and/or decisions.
Any content relating to the conduct, views, activities or any aspect of any person or character in this video is included for entertainment purposes and does not represent an assertion of fact on those matters or any matters in relation to that person or character.
Care has been taken in compiling data, quotes, and other inputs from various sources but errors can occur. Quotes and included data should be considered illustrative, not definitive and their veracity should not be relied on.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 β Opening Words
00:01:17 β What Am I Talking About?
00:03:39 β What Does It Mean to Be Obsolete?
00:17:26 β Experience in Ukraine
00:26:55 β Threats
00:39:57 β Future threats
00:52:22 β Alternatives u0026 Adaptations
00:56:22 β Improvements
01:00:17 β the Fundamentals
01:01:13 β Channel Update
