Poland – NATO’s armored power? The first Abrams tanks arrived in the country
On June 28, at one of the quays of the sea port in Szczecin, the acceptance ceremony of the first batch of General Dynamics Land Systems M1A1 Abrams tanks, which were purchased by the Ministry of National Defense in the United States, took place. This is an express order fulfillment time. Only six months passed from signing the contract to delivery.
Such a quick implementation period reveals that we are talking about used vehicles that were withdrawn from service in the United States Marine Corps and which, before delivery to Poland, underwent a repair and modification process in accordance with the negotiated configuration.
During their stay at the repair facility, all worn parts were replaced, which means that they have full technical resources provided for in the inter-overhaul instructions.
In total, the United States will deliver 116 M1A1 Abrams tanks, which were sold to Poland in January 2023. The entire batch is to be used to quickly replenish the potential of the Polish Army, which has been reduced as a result of transferring a large number of T-72 family tanks (including PT-91 Twardy) and Leopard 2A4 tanks to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Part of the amount spent on their purchase (USD 200 million) came from the military aid program promised to Poland by the United States. Deliveries are scheduled to be completed by the end of next year.
It is known that as part of the modification work, the American side replaced the armor standard for the USMC (United States Marine Corps) with an unspecified export model EAP – Export Armor Package. This is due to export restrictions imposed by the United States administration.
The contract, worth USD 27 million, was concluded between the Department of Defense and the General Dynamics Land Systems corporation in February this year and is being implemented at the company’s plant in Lima, Ohio. One of the main service centers for Abrams family tanks is located there. What armor package did Polish vehicles receive? This is not known.
