According to Militarnyi, referring to the information of Polish media, the Polish government agreed a contract with USA for the purchase on preferential terms of 116 used M1A1 Abrams tanks.

Poland needs these tanks to compensate for the lack of armored vehicles after transfer to Ukraine of 236 T-72M1 and T-72M1R in April this year.

The fact is that literally a week before the start of the hot phase of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the US State Department decided to sell Poland 250 M1A2 Abrams SEP V3 tanks and their corresponding equipment for almost $6 billion. The agreement was signed on April 5, 2022, but these tanks still need to be manufactured and delivered. The first vehicles of the series will leave the assembly line only at the end of 2024, that is, they will reach Poland in the best case at the beginning of 2025.

Poland to buy 116 used M1A1 Abrams tanks while waiting for delivery of 250 newest M1A2 Abrams SEP V3

That is why the purchase of the slightly outdated, but still serviceable M1A1 Abrams tanks will allow Poland to cover the shortage and wait for the newest M1A2 Abrams SEP V3. The M1A1 Abrams that Poland will receive are most likely tanks that are currently being removed from the inventory of the US Marine Corps.

Interestingly, according to Polish Ministry of Defense, the first Abrams have already arrived. It is about training vehicles for crew training. That is, in a few months we should expect the main delivery of the M1A1 Abrams.

Poland to buy 116 used M1A1 Abrams tanks while waiting for delivery of 250 newest M1A2 Abrams SEP V3

We have already repeatedly written about Poland’s plans to significantly increase the army and the country’s rather reasonable rearmament policy. This additional contract for 116 tanks once again confirms the concern of the Polish government regarding the Russian threat, and the ability, and most importantly, the desire to find solutions in difficult situations. Well done, Poland!