The first of 116 used Abrams tanks ordered for the Polish army will be delivered in April, according to Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Mariusz Błaszczak.
In early January, Poland signed a $1.4 billion contract for the purchase of 116 M1A1 Abrams tanks, in addition to a contract for the latest model of those tanks. Nearly $200 million of this purchase is being covered by the United States as military aid based on provisions for additional support in connection with the war in Ukraine.
Preparations are currently underway to transfer the first batch of 116 M1A1 Abrams tanks, which were previously used by the United States Marine Corps. The delivery also includes 12 technical support vehicles, eight accompanying bridges, six command vehicles, and 26 mobile workshops mounted on a Humvee chassis, along with training and logistical support.
Delivery to Poland of all Abrams tanks and other military equipment is scheduled for 2023-2024. The purchase of older vehicles is intended to rebuild Poland’s armored and mechanized brigades after it transferred tanks to Ukraine.
The 116 used M1A1 Abrams tanks will be part of the 18th Mechanized Division, alongside the 250 brand new M1A2 SEPv3 tanks ordered in April of last year for €4.75 billion. This latter order includes 26 pieces of M88A2 Hercules technical support vehicles, 17 M1074 Joint Assault Bridges, training and logistical packages, and ammunition reserves.
Last year, under a separate agreement, the U.S. Army transported 28 M1A2 SEPv2 Abrams tanks to Poland along with instructors to train Polish crews at the Abrams Academy, established at the Land Forces Training Center in Poznań.
