Armed Forces
German Leopards in Orzysz. “Persistent Presence” Exercise
Fot. U.S. Army 
Leopard 2A6 Tanks, of The German 21st Armoured Brigade, are involved in an exercise with the Polish, Giżycko-based 15th Mechanized Brigade.
The field training, realized within the scope of the “Panzer Detachment” exercise, involving a Bundeswehr’s armoured element, has begun on 16th November. Armoured battalion using T-72M1 main battle tanks of the Polish Army’s 15th Gizycko-based Mechanized brigade is involved in the operations, carried out together with a company of Leopard 2A6 tanks deployed by the German Army.
As it was stated by Lt. Edyta Kowalska from the 15th Giżycko-based mechanized brigade, the German company has been, within the scope of the exercise, acting within the structures of the Polish armoured battalion, meaning that the German tanks were operating under the Polish command. The training is going to last until 29th November.
Earlier on, activities were organized, the aim of which was to integrate the elements involved in the operations. Soldiers of the armoured forces are supported by engineering units, mechanized units, bomb disposal specialists or the Gendarmerie. The training is yet another element of the operations carried out within the scope of the “Persistent Presence” exercise programme. This initiative assumes that the Bundeswehr supports the constant rotational NATO presence in the Central-East European region.
Leopard 2A6 Tanks Of The German 21st Armoured Brigade are involved in an exercise with the Polish, Giżycko-based 15th Mechanized Brigade. Prior to that, during the Dragon-15 exercise, a mechanized company reinforced with an armoured platoon, also belonging to the 21st Armoured Brigade, had been involved in training activities, carried out within the Orzysz range. The Germans were cooperating with Polish and British armoured elements, equipped with the Leopard 2A5 and Challenger 2 main battle tanks.
Read More: Polish President, Reserve Forces And Allies Together – Dragon-15 Exercise [Photos]
According to the Bundeswehr’s press release, another mechanized company is going to take part in an exercise in Poland in December. The unit is going to come from the 21st Armoured Brigade as well.