With 4 billion 740 million dollars in modern armored combat equipment, the 18th Polish Mechanized Corps stationed in eastern Poland will be equipped. The first 28 tanks will be delivered to Poland for training later this year, with the entire deal to be completed by 2026.
The modernization of the Polish army, including the acquisition of the latest Abrams armor, is aimed at deterring a potential attacker – Blaszczak stressed after the treaty was signed, adding that everyone is aware of what is happening in Poland’s eastern district at the moment.
The agreement, announced last July, marks the first deployment in Europe of the American M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 armored vehicle developed to act as a counterweight to the Russian T-14 Armata tank.
The purchases will be funded by Warsaw from sources other than the Army’s long-term modernization program. In mid-March, the Polish parliament passed a law on increasing defense spending and the size of the army. Accordingly, in addition to budget resources, expenditures for the purchase of weapons will also be covered by long-term loans and bonds, and next year defense expenditures in Poland will be raised to 3% of GDP.
The picture is an illustration. Cover image source: Getty Images
