Poland has signed an agreement to procure 250 Abrams tanks from the US in a bid to strengthen its armed forces, as hostilities rage on in neighbouring Ukraine. Poland will purchase Abrams M1A2 SEP (System Enhanced Package) v3 main battle tanks. The procurement will also include 26 M88A2 HERCULES maintenance vehicles, and 17 bridges M1074 Joint Assault Bridges. In total, the deal values approximately $4.75bn, including ammunition, and associated training and logistics packages. The agreement was signed by the Polish Minister of National Defence Mariusz Blaszczak. The signing ceremony at the 1st Armoured Brigade, in Warsaw, was also attended by the US ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski.
“It is a very important day in the history of Polish-American cooperation, but also a very important day when it comes to the history of the Polish Armed Forces. An agreement has just been signed, that guarantees the delivery of 250 Abrams tanks in the most modern version for the Polish Army. In July last year, together with Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, here at the headquarters of the 1st Armoured Tadeusz Kosciuszko Brigade, a hero of two nations – Polish and American, we announced the decision of the Polish government to purchase Abrams tanks,” said Mariusz Blaszczak, the Polish Minister of National Defence.
The Abrams tanks in the most modern SEPv3 version will be delivered to units located in the eastern part of Poland, on the Eastern flank of NATO – primarily the 18th Mechanized Division, including the 1st Armoured Brigade. The first tanks for training will be delivered to the Polish Land Forces later this year, and deliveries are scheduled to be completed in 2026. Along with the 3rd generation ABRAMS M1A2 SEPv3 tanks, Poland will also receive a logistics and training package. Simulators will also be purchased. It will be the beginning of the implementation of one of the largest contracts in the history of the Polish Armed Forces. The M1A2 SEP V3 also called M1A2C is the latest generation of main battle tanks in the family of M1A2 Abrams.
The M1A2 Abrams SEP V3 retains the layout of the M1A2 with the driver’s cab at the forward centre hull, turret in the middle and power pack at the rear. The tank integrates a joint tactical radio system (JTRS) handheld and small form-fit radio to ensure network readiness and interoperation with future brigade combat teams (BCTs). The Abrams M1A2 SEP V3 include the Ammunition DataLink (ADL), improved 120mm ammunition, Improved Forward-Looking Infrared (IFLIR) and the low-profile (LP) Common Remotely Operated Weapon System (CROWS). The main battle tank measures 9.7m-long, 3.7m-wide and 2.4m-high, and is manned by a crew of four, including a driver, a commander, a loader and a gunner. The 73.6-ton tank has a crew of four and can go 42 miles on a road and 30 miles per hour cross-country.
