Following a short delay, Poland has officially taken delivery of its first batch of the state-of-the-art M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, a seminal development that reinforces its ascension as NATO’s leading armored powerhouse.
The Minister of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, announced the delivery on January 19. The shipment, which includes 28 M1A2 SEPv3 tanks, was unloaded from the MV Cape Texas, a Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) ship, on January 18.
These tanks will now undergo a thorough inspection process before being assigned to various units within the Polish Army (Wojsko Polskie).
The Polish Army said, “The tanks will be transported to the Military Automotive Works in Poznań in order to perform the so-called deprocessing – an extended zero inspection after long-term sea transport.”
Poland signed a contract with the USA in 2022 for a total of 250 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, with the first batch now arriving in 2025. The full complement of tanks and accompanying equipment are expected to be delivered to Poland by 2026.
The M1A2 SEPv3, an upgraded version of the iconic Abrams tank, is known for its improved capabilities. The US Army developed the tank as part of its System Enhancement Program.
The SEPv3 version incorporates key advancements in power, armor, survivability, and electronic systems. The tank can deploy the Israeli-made Trophy active protection system, which enhances its ability to counter anti-tank missiles, as well as upgraded counter-IED systems to improve survivability in modern combat environments.
The US Army has hailed this tank as “the most reliable Abrams tank ever produced.” Despite the strategic importance of this delivery, Poland’s tanks arrived slightly behind schedule, initially expected by the end of 2024.
Nevertheless, the country is optimistic about future deliveries. The Polish Armament Agency noted that these initial tanks are only the beginning, with additional shipments planned throughout 2025.
Poland’s purchase of M1A2 SEPv3 tanks complements its earlier acquisition of 116 older M1A1 Abrams tanks. The last of these M1A1 tanks were delivered to Poland in 2024.
These second-hand American tanks, retired from US Marine Corps service, were procured to replace the aging fleet of T-72 tanks that had been previously supplied to the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
Once the full complement of 250 M1A2 SEPv3 tanks arrives, Poland’s armed forces will operate a total of 366 Abrams family main battle tanks. This tank fleet will position the country as a formidable armored force within NATO.
Poland’s Tank Fleet Expansion
The new tanks signify Poland’s ongoing focus on armored warfare as a core element of its national defense strategy. Unlike many of its European counterparts, which significantly downsized their tank fleets following the end of the Cold War, Poland has remained resolute in maintaining and enhancing its tank capabilities.
This decision stems from an assessment of the need to defend against the potential threat of a Russian armored offensive in light of escalating tensions in Eastern Europe.
In fact, when Poland sought to replace its aging tank fleet in July 2021, then-Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak pointed out the necessity of acquiring tanks “available in the best-equipped version, tanks that are combat-proven, tanks which were constructed to counter the most modern Russian T-14 Armata tanks.”
Although the Russian T-14 Armata is praised for its advanced features, such as enhanced passive armor and an active protection system, its production has been fraught with challenges.
Limited funding and delays have obstructed its large-scale deployment, with initial plans for thousands of units now reduced to a modest first batch of around 100 tanks.
On the other hand, Poland has strategically diversified its armored capabilities, now beginning to receive the latest variant of the M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks.
These tanks will complement Poland’s existing fleet of over 230 Leopard 2 tanks, which currently form the backbone of its tank formations. These include the Leopard 2A4, 2A5, and the domestically modernized Leopard 2PL models, developed in collaboration with Germany’s Rheinmetall.
Further building up its ground forces, Poland secured a landmark agreement with South Korea in 2022 to acquire 200 K2 “Black Panther” battle tanks. To date, 84 of these South Korean-made tanks have been delivered.
However, plans are also in place to acquire 800 K2PL tanks, a specialized variant that will be manufactured domestically in Poland.
Overall, given Moscow’s continued investment in large-scale tank and artillery forces amid the ongoing war with Kyiv, Poland’s focus on strengthening its armored capabilities is a strategic and timely response to a complex security landscape in Eastern Europe.
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