Seven US-made Abrams tanks arrive in Poland: defence minister

A first batch of seven US-made Abrams tanks have arrived in Poland for soldiers to train on, Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak announced on Monday.

An M1A2 Abrams tank on a road in Poland.

Photo: twitter.com/MON_GOV_PL

“The Abrams tanks on which Polish soldiers will be trained are already in Poland,” Błaszczak said in a tweet.

“We will be ready when the first of the 250 state-of-the-art tanks we have ordered arrive,” he added.

"Poland will have a powerful modern force to deter an aggressor in an emergency," he also tweeted.

Czołgi Abrams, na których będą szkolić się żołnierze Wojska Polskiego są już w 🇵🇱. Będziemy gotowi, kiedy pojawią się pierwsze z 250 najnowocześniejszych czołgów, które zamówiliśmy. Polska będzie dysponowała nowoczesną, potężną siłą, aby w sytuacji zagrożenia odstraszyć agresora. pic.twitter.com/bWOFOKvE3m

— Mariusz Błaszczak (@mblaszczak) July 18, 2022

Poland in April signed a USD 4.74 billion deal to buy 250 modern Abrams tanks from the United States in what officials hailed as a key step in boosting the country’s defences.

Last week, Błaszczak, who also serves as a deputy prime minister, announced that the Polish government “agreed on a contract with the US concerning the purchase of 116 used Abrams tanks,” in a deal “significantly strengthening the defence capabilities of the Polish Army."

Czołgi Abrams, na których będą się szkolić polscy żołnierze już w Polsce! pic.twitter.com/yXcI5DXGmU

— Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej 🇵🇱 (@MON_GOV_PL) July 18, 2022

The first deliveries of the used Abrams are expected to start in early 2023, enabling Poland to restock its tank arsenal after the country sent more than 240 modified T-72 machines to help Ukraine deter Russia's invasion, according to officials.

(jh/gs)

Source: IAR, PAP