Poland is on track to become one of the largest operators of main battle tanks (MBTs) in Europe after Russia, and it will also be the first United States ally to operate the M1 Abrams.
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On Wednesday, officials in Warsaw announced that a deal has been reached to buy a second batch of the U.S.-produced MBTs as the Polish military increases its defensive capabilities and strengthens military cooperation with Washington.
According to an exclusive story from the Associated Press, Poland’s Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak signed the $1.4 billion deal at a military base in Wesola, outside of Warsaw. The agreement foresees the delivery of 116 M1A1 Abrams tanks with related equipment and logistics starting this year.
“We are strengthening Poland’s armed forces, we are strengthening the iron fist of the Polish army in order to increase the power to deter the aggressor,” said Blaszczak, who also serves as a deputy prime minister.
The Biden Administration has pledged to provide Poland with “our strongest and most reliable military capabilities” and “on an urgent basis.”
Poland – a Tank Powerhouse
The newly announced deal follows a $4.7 billion agreement for Warsaw’s acquisition of 250 upgraded M1A2 Abrams tanks that will be delivered in 2025-26. In addition, Poland is currently awaiting delivery of U.S. HIMARS artillery systems, while it has already received Patriot missile batteries.
“NATO’s strength lies in its unity, which has never been greater than it is today,” Doug Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, and the Army’s acquisition executive, said in August when the initial contract was announced.
“This award is an example of the Army’s continuing work with our industry partners to increase production of critical military equipment capabilities to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our partners and allies,” Bush added.
Warsaw formally requested the tanks in July 2021.
The U.S. Army has noted that the delivery of the Abrams will further improve the U.S. Army’s interoperability with the Polish armed forces and will significantly boost the nations’ combined military deterrence strength.
The Abrams SEPv3 is considered to be the most capable tank in service in the world today. The upgraded MBTs feature technological advancements in survivability, lethality, reliability, and communications. In addition, the SEPv3 also has space to accept future updates.
South Korean MBTs Also Headed to Poland
It was last month that Warsaw signed another multibillion-dollar deal for the urgent purchase of tanks, howitzers, and fighter jets from South Korea. The first delivery of K-2 Black Panther tanks and K9A1 howitzers arrived in earlier December.
Polish President Andrzej Duda joined Blaszczak at an official ceremony at the Polish port city of Gdynia to mark the arrival of the hardware. While taking delivery, the Polish leader hailed the swift implementation of a $5.8 billion deal that had only been signed last summer. Duda further praised South Korea for being able to quickly respond to Poland’s call for hardware to increase its deterrence to Moscow.
The newly arrived weapons will make up for arms Poland has already given to Ukraine.
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Author Experience and Expertise: A Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.
