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REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — With the $4.7 billion purchase of U.S. tanks earlier this year, Poland is making significant strides in its aggressive military modernization efforts.
The foreign military sale of 250 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks — executed by the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, or USASAC — supports Poland’s plan to transform from Soviet-era equipment to modern NATO platforms.
The SEPv3 tanks are scheduled to begin coming off American production lines in late 2024 and delivery to Poland will begin in early 2025 after the tanks’ Polish configuration is complete, said Heath Bedard, USASAC’s country program manager for Poland.
Bedard said the purchase of the latest version of the SEPv3 includes training, along with ammunition, technical protection vehicles and logistics support.
“This is USASAC’s total package approach, which is unique to the United States’ [foreign military sale] model,” said Bedard. “This formula allows a nation to not only receive and employ some of the world’s most advance weapons systems but, with the accompanying training, technical and logistical support, they have a long-term capability and can sustain those systems for the entirety of its life cycle.”
The M1 Abrams tanks are combat proven and currently serves as the main battle tank of the U.S. Army. For Poland, the tanks are expected to significantly enhance regional security and coalition capability.
During an April 5 ceremony in Warsaw, Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak signed a foreign military sale letter of offer and acceptance for the tanks, calling it a historic moment for his nation, one that will enable “the most modern version of (the) Polish Army.”
The following month during a June 29 NATO summit in Madrid, President Joe Biden made an announcement intended to further strengthen the U.S.-Polish partnership and the NATO alliance.
Biden said the United States will establish a permanent base that will headquarter the “U.S. 5th Army Corps and strengthen NATO interoperability across the entire eastern flank."
A 20,000 U.S. troop surge to Europe took place earlier this year in support of allied nations, just before Russia’s unprovoked war on Ukraine. Currently there are more than 100,000 U.S. troops in Europe with many of them serving along the eastern front of the alliance.
Ukraine shares a 332-mile border with Poland, which remains one of the United States’ strongest partners in promoting security and prosperity regionally throughout Europe and globally.
“Strengthening allies and partners remains a top priority for the Department of Defense and the U.S. Army,” said Bedard. “[Foreign military sale] cases, and this tank sale in particular, not only improves a partner nation’s ability to deter regional threats, but it also strengthens the alliance and supports U.S. foreign policy. It’s a win-win that USASAC is proud to be a part of.”
For more information on how USASAC supports partner capacity and U.S foreign policy, visit USASAC's website.
FAST FACTS:
- The strong U.S.-Poland relationship and shared commitment to freedom date back to the American Revolution when Polish citizens aided the U.S. cause.
- The United States was the first country to recognize an independent Poland in 1919.
- Currently, the United States and Poland partner closely on NATO capabilities, counterterrorism, nonproliferation, missile defense, human rights, economic growth and innovation, energy security and regional cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe.
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