Sign of the times: Poland receives first Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 batch amid tank spending spree
One of seven Abrams SEPv2 on its way to Poland. The US is delivering 28 of these MBTs to the Polish Army for training purposes, out of a 250-tank order. (Photo: Polish MoD)
Poland has 250 M1A2 Abrams MBTs on order and the first batch of seven arrived in mid-July.
A total of 116 M1A1 Abrams MBTs from surplus US stocks are also likely to be upgraded to the M1A2 SEPv3 standard.
In mid-July, following a few months of fruitless negotiations with the German government, the Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) decided to purchase second-hand Abrams M1A1 MBTs from US strategic stocks.
Poland will receive 116 M1A1s (sufficient for two tank battalions) used previously by US Armed Forces. The eastern European country already has 250 modern Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 MBTs on order and the MND did not confirm whether these tanks would be upgraded to the SEPv3 standard when asked by Shephard, although the latest Polish media reports appear to bear this out.
The Polish government will cover the cost
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![DroneShield nets largest order ever with $40 million European CUAS contract]()
DroneShield nets largest order ever with $40 million European CUAS contract
The package of three standalone follow-on contracts makes this the largest contract won by the Australian company and larger than its total 2024 revenue.
-
![Patria completes test firing of new self-propelled gun as demand for systems grows]()
Patria completes test firing of new self-propelled gun as demand for systems grows
Patria quotes a maximum rate of fire of eight rounds a minute from the new ARVE (ARtillery on VEhicle) self-propelled gun with a range of 40km for an assisted round. The rapid, low-risk development is designed to meet emerging requirements which have arisen out of the Ukraine war.
-
![US Army modernisation plans raise big concerns for lawmakers]()
US Army modernisation plans raise big concerns for lawmakers
The termination of programmes such as JLTV and RCV has been harshly criticised by members of the US Congress.
-
![The power of partnership: GDMS–UK deepens cooperation with the British Army]()
The power of partnership: GDMS–UK deepens cooperation with the British Army
In Conversation: Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to General Dynamics Mission Systems–United Kingdom’s Chris Burrows about how the company's UK TacCIS business is reshaping battlefield communications through sustained customer engagement, accelerated innovation and ecosystem collaboration.
-
![Sweden to purchase IRIS-T air defence systems for $930 million]()
Sweden to purchase IRIS-T air defence systems for $930 million
This recent purchase of the medium-range air defence system adds to the country’s ongoing efforts to ramp up its overall defence readiness and capabilities.
