Poland boosts arsenal with 29 more Abrams tanks from US, aiming to replace old vehicles by 2026
The January delivery of Abrams tanks has boosted the total number of M1A1 tanks from the USA in Poland to 69. All deliveries of the aforementioned machines are scheduled to be completed by 2024, at which point the Polish army will have 116 M1A1 version Abrams tanks.
Furthermore, later this year, Poland will receive a delivery of new Abrams tanks, marked as M1A2 SEPv3 – 250 of these are expected to arrive, and the deliveries will continue until 2026. This procurement strategy aims to fill the void left by the transfer of older T-72, Leopard 2 and PT-91 Twardy machines to Ukraine.
Additional Abrams Tanks Have Arrived in Poland
Prior to entering service, the newly arrived Abrams tanks must undergo an inspection at the Poznań Military Motorization Works. Only after satisfactory checks will they be turned over to the soldiers from the 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade.
The Abrams tanks are US-manufactured vehicles equipped with a 120 mm M256 smoothbore gun and a Honeywell AGT1500 turbine drive unit capable of generating 1500 KM of power. It's important to recognize that the units given to Poland (previously owned by the US Marines) have undergone several modifications.
Notably, the upgrades include the Firepower Enhancement Program (FEP), which brings improved thermal imaging, alterations in the fire control system, a navigation module and a laser rangefinder, as well as various diagnostic systems. Additionally, the Abrams tanks have received an upgraded commander's observation dome (Abrams Integrated Display And Targeting System). This upgrade provides superior camera capabilities that facilitate target detection and identification from greater distances. Some tanks also feature additional side modules of reinforced armor.
Accompanying the tanks are the Oshkosh M-ATVs, or armored all-terrain vehicles. A single unit weighs approximately 27,500 pounds, can reach speeds of 65.2 mph, and boasts a range over 310.7 miles. Its armament comprises the M240 7.62 mm machine guns and the 12.7 mm Browning M2. This equipment was designed to address the need for a mobile vehicle capable of traversing difficult terrains.
