A potential donation from Washington will not jeopardise Poland's planned purchases of arms in its ongoing effort to modernise the army, officials said on Monday.
The US Army could make available some 250 Strykers as it reshapes its European presence, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The donation could be made under the US military's Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme to support allies.
Poland's defence ministry said it had tasked the Polish Army with analysing the condition of the used Strykers, as well as their suitability for training and operational purposes.
The delivery would "meet the needs of the Polish armed forces and wouldn't threaten our purchasing plans," officials told reporters.
Last week, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz told public broadcaster Polish Radio that the offer underlined Poland's status as a trusted ally of the United States.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said the Polish army "keeps expanding and therefore needs more equipment and weaponry."
"If the US offer is favourable, Poland will accept it," he added.
Rosomak vs. Stryker?
The plan has caused some controversy, with experts pointing out Poland is producing its own armoured fighting vehicle, the Rosomak (Wolverine).
Moreover, the government has tasked the Polish Arms Group (PGZ) with devising a new wheeled armoured transport vehicle, which is planned to replace Rosomak in the future, the PAP news agency reported.
However, officials say the supplies of Rosomak do not exhaust the Polish army's need for wheeled armoured transport vehicles, and so Strykers would be welcome.
Strykers have been used by the US Army for some 20 years. They are designed for fast deployment using military transport aircraft, such as the C-130 Hercules, according to officials.
The Stryker was conceived as a family of vehicles, with 10 variants available originally. These include the interim armoured vehicle, the reconnaissance vehicle and the fire support vehicle, which features the 105 mm M 1128 mobile gun system (MGS) or a mortar.
It remains to be seen which variants of the Stryker would be transferred to the Polish Army.
The Strykers were in the past deployed during America's military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Several hundred Strykers were donated to Ukraine to bolster its defences following the Russian invasion in February 2022.
(pm/gs)
Source PAP, Portal Obronny