Abrams sale to Poland moves a step closer
M1A2 Abrams MBT from the US Army during a night fire gunnery exercise in Poland, January 2022. (Photo: US Army/Sgt Eliezer Meléndez)
The US State Department has approved a potential $6 billion FMS package for Poland, to include 250 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams MBTs and related equipment.
Both the quantity and price of the planned M1A2 SEPv3 procurement tally with an announcement from the Polish government in July 2021.
Poland wants the new tanks to partially replace its 400-strong fleet of T-72M/M1 MBTs.
‘The proposed sale will improve Poland’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force that is capable of deterring adversaries and participating in NATO operations,’ the State Department noted in an 18 February announcement.
Aside from the M1A2 SEPv3 tanks, Poland has requested 250 AN/VLQ-12 CREW Duke counter-IED systems; 26 M88A2 Hercules armoured recovery vehicles; 17 M1110 joint assault bridges; plus 276 M2 50cal and 500 M240C 7.62mmm machine guns.
Other hardware in the Polish request includes 15 AGT1500 gas turbine engines; almost 35,000 rounds of high-explosive antitank, tracer and target practice ammunition; forward repair systems; trailer-mounted generators; and the Common Remote Operated Weapons Station Low Profile (CROWS-LP).
Main contractors on the planned FMS deal will include General Dynamics Land Systems, Honeywell Aerospace, Leonardo DRS, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.
Training, engineering and logistics support are also included in the proposed FMS.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
Hanwha contracted to develop radar for South Korean missile defence
Hanwha will develop the multi-function radar of the Low Altitude Missile Defense (LAMD), work which is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2028.
-
Anduril Industries unveils improved electromagnetic warfare system
Pulsar-L has already entered service and weighs about 12kg with range of 5km. It was only in May last year that the company disclosed that earlier versions were already in service.
-
Romania approved for additional $280 million Patriot Air Defence System buy
The possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) from the US will cover the system and any related equipment with Lockheed Martin and RTX as primary contractors.
-
Polaris to unveil new MRZR Alpha base vehicle at Modern Day Marine
The new platform was designed to provide 1KW of exportable power as standard and has been developed in partnership with the US Marine Corps (USMC).