As early as 2012, before the 2014 War in Donbas between Russian backed seperatists and Ukraine
forces, the Polish military began to concentrate on the modernisation of all its military forces,
in particular, the Polish army reliance on Soviet era heavy weapons systems such as its
howitzers, infantry vehicles, hundreds of T-72 and T-91 main battle tanks and BM-21
Grad launchers.
As a interim measure, Poland upgraded a number of its T-72 and T-91 main battle tanks and
started its own development of new weapons systems to replace some of its Soviet made
artillery systems, which has seen the successful introduction of KRAB 155mm Howitzer, the polish
army has also purchased ready made systems such as the American HIMARS M142 multiple-launcher
rocket system
In 2015 following the War in Donbass, Poland annouced the modernisation of a number of
its previously used German Leopard 2 tanks, first transferred to Polish forces in 2002,
the modernisation has been very slow with just over 140 out of the 250 tanks, so far
modernised to Leopard 2PL and the newer 2PLM1 standard.
In February 2022 the Polish Ministry of Defence signed the much publicised deal worth about
$4.75 billion dollars to buy 250 M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 tanks from the United States.
In April 2022, U.S Soldiers, seen here, of the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armored Regiment,
1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division hosted the first Abrams Operations
Summit with soldiers from across the Polish Land Forces.
This first ever three day training event see's the U.S. Army bringing along its Abrams tanks,
M88A2 HERCULES recovery vehicle and the all new heavy assault bridge the JAB, which will
allow Participating Polish soldiers to learn Abrams capabilities, tactics, sustainment
operations and master gunner operations as well as conducting joint exercises such as
Combined Arms Breach seen here and joint Tank assault operations with infantry fighting
vehicles and Humvee.
The 1st Infantry Division is among other units assigned to V Corps, America’s forward deployed
corps in Europe that works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide
combat-credible forces; execute joint, bilateral, and multinational training exercises; and
provides command and control for rotational and assigned units in the European theater.
In summer 2022 Polish crews will receive 28 M1A2 SEPv2 which are leased for training purposes
along with a M88A2 HERCULES recovery vehicle, they will begin formal training to become
certified on the incoming tanks, enhancing interoperability with U.S. forces.
While this training takes place, some Polish soldiers will continue to embed with U.S.
Army units through the Abrams Apprentice Program where they will continue to learn master gunner
and maintenance operations.
It is expected that the Polish army will receive its first M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 tanks in late
2024, however, with the recent Russian illegal and unjustified war in Ukraine, Polish Governement
officials have asked for timelines for deliverys to be urgently revised and brought forward.
The Polish forces will be receiving one of the best tanks in the world and most modern,
the 66.8 t SEPv3 tank has amongst many improvements, increased protection using Depleted uranium
inserts in hull and turret, with more passive ballistic protection added to the turret faces,
along with new Explosive Reactive Armor mountings and Trophy Active Protection systems added
to the turret sides