Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak has signed a contract with U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski to buy 250 M1A2 SEPv3 main battle tanks (MBT), ammunition, support and recovery vehicles, GPS receivers, and other equipment in a deal worth around $4.75 billion.
In one of the largest contracts in the history of the Polish army, the package will include 26 M88A2 Hercules armoured recovery vehicles, 17 M1110 joint assault bridges, N/VLQ-12 CREW Duke counter-IED systems, a logistics and training package, combat simulators, and 276 M2 50cal and 500 M240C 7.62mm machine guns. Deliveries are to begin later in 2022.
Mariusz Blaszczak said: “The contract concerns the purchase of 250 Abrams tanks and accompanying technical support vehicles, including bridges, which will be used in the training camps in which these tanks will function. The contract also includes a training and logistics package. Also, under the contract, we bought ammunition in an amount that is a significant amount, and therefore will significantly strengthen the ammunition resources of the Polish Army. This is a very important strengthening of the Polish Army. Abrams tanks will go to the 18th Mechanized Division. The task of these tanks, and the consequence of the fact that the Polish authorities are developing the Polish Army, is to deter a potential aggressor. We are all aware of what is happening beyond our eastern border. Later this year, 28 Abrams tanks from the US Army will go to the Polish Army, so that the training of Polish soldiers can be started.”
The US State Department approved the sale to Poland in February. Commenting on the deal’s approval, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) stated: “The proposed sale will improve Poland’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force that is capable of deterring adversaries and participating in Nato operations. Poland will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Nato Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”
Produced by General Dynamics Land Systems at their facility in Lima, Ohio, the M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 (System Enhanced Package) is a modernised configuration of the Abrams MBT, with enhanced protection and survivability, as well as greater lethality.
M1A2 System Enhancement Program Version 3 (SEPV3)
| Type: | Designer: |
| Main battle tank | General Dynamics Land Systems |
| Manufacturer: | Country of origin: |
| Joint Systems Manufacturing Center | United States |
| Operators: | Produced: |
| United States Army | 2015 – present |
| Armour: | Crew: |
| Improved Chobham armor | 4 |
| Weight: | Dimensions: |
| 73.6 tonnes | Length: 9.7 m; Width: 3.7 m; Height: 2.4 m |
| Main armament: | Secondary armament: |
| M256 120mm smoothbore cannon | Coaxial 7.62 mm L94A1 chain gun; Common remotely operated weapon system (CROWS) installed with a 12.7mm machine gun |
| Engine: | Range: |
| Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine engine (1,500hp) | 264 mi (425 km) |
| On-board systems: | Speed: |
| Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) filtration system; chemical and radiation detector systems; thermal and night vision; laser range finder; fire control system; CREW Duke V3 counter remote-controlled IED (RCIED) electronic warfare system; Trophy Active Protection system | 42 mph (68 km/h) |
