Poland received an additional 35 main battle tanks of the American type M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams in the past week. This increases the country’s stock to a total of 217. In addition, there are 116 older M1A1FEP from former U.S. Marine Corps stocks, which were ordered in 2023 and delivered by 2024. Most recently, in June, 36 of the 250 ordered M1A2s and seven M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicles were delivered. The final delivery of 33 Abrams is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of the current year.
Thus Poland becomes, as the first European user, the world’s fourth-largest fleet in the future, after the United States, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. It will be deployed with the 18th Mechanized Division. The order includes, in addition to 49 M88A2, 25 M1110 bridge-laying vehicles and M1150 Pioneer tanks on Abrams chassis each. Of the recovery tanks, 33 are already in service; the first M1110 was delivered in July. There are yet no reports on the M1150.
Latest Version of the M1A2
The M1A2 SEPv3 is the latest version of the Abrams with the System Enhancement Package. It includes comprehensive improvements in power supply, communications, maintainability, protection and effectiveness. Among other features, it has an auxiliary power unit, an improved night vision system, a new armor package including reactive armor, and the Trophy active protection system. The turret also carries a remotely operated weapons station. The U.S. Army plans next to introduce the M1E3 version.
In addition to Abrams, the Polish Army currently has 208 of 360 ordered main battle tanks of the South Korean type K2, 105 Leopard 2A5 and 128 Leopard 2 A4 as well as A4PL in service. The K2, which is deployed with the 16th Mechanized Division, is to replace the remaining examples of the domestic T-72 development PT-91 Twardy by 2030. In the future, this type could also replace the Leopard 2, as Poland plans procurement of a total of 1,000 units.
