Poland gets 36 U.S. Abrams tanks as US ramps up funding for next‑gen M1E3

Polish deputy prime minister and defence minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz announced that a transport of 36 M1A2SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks and seven M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicles arrived in Poland. The vehicles will be assigned to the 1st Warsaw Armoured Brigade of the 18th Mechanised Division after de‑processing at the military automotive plant in Poznań. This shipment fulfills part of a 2022 contract worth $4.75 billion for 250 Abrams tanks and related equipment, with additional Hercules vehicles ordered in 2023, raising Poland’s recovery‑vehicle fleet to 49.

Separately, the U.S. Army’s Contracting Command in Detroit signed a $209 million contract with General Dynamics Land Systems to expand engineering funding for the next‑generation M1E3 Abrams program. The total program value now exceeds $850 million. Work will be carried out in Michigan and aims to cut combat weight to roughly 60 t, introduce a hybrid diesel‑electric powertrain, improve fire‑control, communications and active‑protection systems, and feature a three‑person crew with an unmanned turret. Completion is targeted for November 2031.