Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak informed that the US Department of State agreed to sell 250 Abrams tanks in the most modern version of the M1A2 SEPv3. The first batch of tanks should be delivered to Poland this year. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin flew to Poland on Friday.
The head of the Ministry of National Defense wrote on Twitter “Very important news for the security of Poland. The State Department has approved the sale of 250 Abrams tanks in the most modern M1A2 SEPv3 version. This is an extremely important strengthening of our defense capabilities and one of the most important arms contracts in the history of Poland”.
The third generation M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams entered the service in 2019-2020. It has a system that allows for cooperation with Himars launchers and F-35 aircraft. Tanks of this type can also use programmable ammunition. Together with the tanks, Poland will also receive a logistics and training package and simulators.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin flew to Poland on Friday. In the morning, the head of the Pentagon met with the Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak. The main topics of the talks were bilateral defense cooperation and security relations.
At a press conference following the meeting in the Royal Baths in Warsaw, Minister Błaszczak thanked the US Secretary for the good and fruitful conversation that confirmed the bilateral partnership. “Our meeting is especially important now. The Polish army is on guard of the Homeland, but also on the eastern flank of NATO”, said Błaszczak.
The US secretary of defense also spoke about productive and fruitful talks. “Poland is one of our most loyal allies in NATO. Today, relations between the US and Poland could not be stronger. Thank you that Poland accepts over 4,000 American soldiers. We appreciate that Poland has welcomed soldiers who are prepared for various scenarios”.
After this meeting, the American Secretary spoke with President Andrzej Duda about the military presence in Poland and the situation on NATO’s eastern flank. In the afternoon, the Pentagon chief’s meeting with soldiers is scheduled at the 33rd Transport Aviation Base in Powidz.
About 5,000 American soldiers are staying in Poland as part of NATO and bilateral cooperation with the United States. It translates also to important armaments contracts with several landmark modernization contracts having been signed in recent years.
The newest purchases will allow the Polish Army to be equipped with the most modern military equipment – F-35 aircraft, Patriot missile systems, Himars fire modules and Abrams tanks, which will be an important element in Poland’s country’s defense system. Thus, they will strengthen the eastern part of Poland.
Arkadiusz Słomczyński