47 US M1A1 Abrams tanks arrive in Poland in response to Russian actions in Ukraine.

On June 27, 2024, the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces announced the completion of the delivery of 116 M1A1 Abrams tanks, finalized a year and a half after the contract was signed by the Agencja Uzbrojenia (the Polish Armament Agency). The 1st Warsaw Armoured Brigade, celebrating its 30th anniversary on the same day, along with the 18th Mechanized Division located in Siedlce, eastern Poland, are the primary recipients of this final tranche, comprising 47 M1A1 Abrams tanks and 26 M1152A1B2 workshops mounted on HMMWV chassis.
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This latest delivery was part of a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) approved by the US State Department on December 6, 2022, which included a total of 116 M1A1 Abrams for an estimated value of $3.75 billion (Picture source: Agencja Uzbrojenia)

The delivery process began on January 4, 2023, when the Polish Agencja Uzbrojenia signed the contract with the United States. The first batch arrived on June 28, 2023, consisting of 14 M1A1 tanks and 3 M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicles. A subsequent shipment arrived on November 21, 2023, coinciding with the Polish Tank-Vehicle Service Day, and included 26 M1A1 Abrams tanks and 9 M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicles. The third transport, comprising 29 M1A1 tanks, arrived on January 6, 2024. These deliveries have now culminated in the final tranche, equipping the Polish Armed Forces with the battle-proven M1A1 Abrams main battle tank under the name M1A1FEP.

This acquisition was part of a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) approved by the US State Department on December 6, 2022, which followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The deal, valued at approximately $3.75 billion, included a variety of military vehicles and equipment. Along with the 116 M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, the sale included 12 M88A2 Hercules Combat Recovery Vehicles, 8 M1110 Joint Assault Bridges, 6 M577A3 Command Vehicles, 26 M1152A1 High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), and 26 M1279A1 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV). Additionally, the package included 116 M2 .50 caliber machine guns and 232 M240 7.62mm machine guns.

The sale also provided various 120mm cartridges for training and combat purposes: 30,928 M865 Target Practice (TPCSDS-T), 20,823 M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose Tracer (TPMP-T), 60,000 M829A4 Armor Piercing (APFSDS-T), 2,000 M829A3 Armor Piercing (APFSDS-T), 50,000 M829A2 Armor Piercing (APFSDS-T), 10,000 M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) TP-T, 60,000 M908 High Explosive Obstacle Reduction-Tracer (HE-OR-T), and 70,000 M1147 High Explosive Advanced Multipurpose Round. Additional components of the FMS included forward repair systems, next-generation shop equipment maintenance shelters, gas turbines, communications equipment, GPS receivers, ammunition, spare and repair parts, special tools and test equipment, technical manuals, new equipment training, and support services for logistics and program implementation.

The first batch arrived on June 28, 2023, consisting of 14 M1A1 tanks and 3 M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicles. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces also confirmed that this was the last delivery of M1A1 Abrams tanks before transitioning to the M1A2 SEP v.3 main battle tanks. Poland has ordered 250 units of the M1A2 SEP v.3, with the first batch ready for transport. The contract for these tanks was signed on April 5, 2022, following the US State Department's approval of another Foreign Military Sale valued at approximately $6.0 billion. This package includes 250 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, 250 AN/VLQ-12 CREW Duke counter-IED systems, 26 M88A2 Hercules Combat Recovery vehicles, and 17 M1110 Joint Assault Bridges. It also includes 276 M2 .50 caliber machine guns, 500 M240C 7.62mm machine guns, and 15 AGT1500 gas turbine engines.

Additionally, the FMS includes significant quantities of ammunition and training equipment: 9,168 120mm M865 Target Practice, Cone Stabilized, Discarding Sabot - Tracer (TPCSDS-T) cartridges, 4,592 120mm M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose Tracer (TPMP-T) projectiles, 13,920 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) TP-T cartridges, and 6,960 120mm XM1147 High Explosive Multipurpose Tracers. The sale also provides forward repair systems, trailer-mounted generators, Common Remote Operated Weapons Station Low Profile (CROWS-LP), communications equipment, GPS receivers, spare and repair parts, Special Tools and Test Equipment (STTE), technical manuals, maintenance trainers, gunnery training systems, tank driver’s trainers, and new equipment training. The package includes US Government and contractor services for technical, engineering, and logistics support, ensuring comprehensive program implementation and support.

Poland has ordered 250 units of the M1A2, in the SEP v.3 variant, with the first batch ready for transport, for an estimated value of $6 billion. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

In response to perceived threats from Russia and Belarus, Poland, along with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, has proposed constructing a fortified defense line along their borders. These countries have sent a letter to the EU requesting financial support for the project, which is estimated to cost 2.5 billion euros. The initiative aims to protect against both military and hybrid threats, including disinformation, cyberattacks, and migrant movements. The proposal will be discussed at an upcoming EU summit in Brussels, with a focus on coordinated efforts with NATO. Poland has already started enhancing its border defenses, citing security concerns related to migration and the presence of Russian troops in Belarus.

Over the past five years, the Polish Armed Forces have significantly expanded and modernized. The number of active military personnel has grown from around 110,000 to approximately 150,000, including a 30,000-strong territorial defense force established in 2017. The defense budget has increased to over 3% of GDP, allowing for substantial investments in new equipment and technology, such as American M1A2 Abrams tanks, F-35 fighter jets, and Korean K2 Black Panther tanks and K9 howitzers. This expansion is driven by regional security concerns, particularly regarding tensions with Russia and the conflict in Ukraine. The Polish Navy and Air Force are also undergoing modernization, with acquisitions of new submarines, frigates, and air defense systems.

This final tranche comprised 47 M1A1 Abrams tanks and 26 M1152A1B2 workshops mounted on HMMWV chassis. (Picture source: General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces)