Land Forces
First M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks for Poland
Head of the Polish MoD, Mariusz Błaszczak announced progress in the programme aimed at the acquisition of the M1 Abrams main battle tanks for the Polish Armed Forces.
As announced, the first examples out of 116 procured M1A1 main battle tanks are being readied for shipping. These MBTs had been operated by the USMC previously in the M1A1FEP variant (Firepower Enhancement Package). The Abrams main battle tanks underwent an upgrade tailoring them to the requirements defined by the Polish Armed Forces. Old composite armour elements of those tanks have been replaced with a more modern package approved for sale within the framework of the FMS procedure.
Trwają przygotowania do przekazania pierwszych ze 116 zamówionych dla Wojska Polskiego czołgów Abrams. Już w kwietniu trafią do Polski pierwsze egzemplarze. Wzmacniamy pancerną pięść Wojska Polskiego, wzmacniamy polskie siły zbrojne, żeby realnie i skutecznie odstraszyć agresora. pic.twitter.com/H5xM3Yet37
— Mariusz Błaszczak (@mblaszczak) March 8, 2023
In late 2023, the first battalion is expected to be delivered (58 MBTs). Meanwhile, another battalion is expected to be supplied by the end of 2024, along with M88A2 ARVs, spares, training aids, and so on. Notably, the main battle tanks in question wear the standard NATO forest camo.
Apart from the above, starting in January 2025, deliveries of the first examples of the brand new M1A2SEPv3 would begin (250 were procured). The timeline here extends until late 2026. M88A2 ARVs, M1110 bridges, spares, munitions, and training aids are also a part of this deal.