Poland has passed the last hurdle before buying new American tanks. Yesterday, February 18, the press service of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the US Department of Defense announced the receipt of a certificate for the sale of M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 tanks to Poland.
"The State Department has approved a possible military sale to the Polish government of M1A2 SEPv3 main battle tanks and related equipment abroad with an estimated cost of $6 billion. Today, the Agency for Security and Defense Cooperation submitted the required certificate, notifying Congress of a possible sale," the press service of DSCA reported.
Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 Tank
Image source: armyrecognition.com
The possibility of Poland acquiring American tanks first became known last year. Then it was reported that the Polish armed forces were interested in acquiring up to 250 tanks in the M1A2 SEPv3 variant, as well as dozens of training vehicles. Poland's official request includes an extensive list of lots: 250 M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 tanks, 26 M88A2 HERCULES combat evacuation vehicles, 17 M1110 bridge-laying trucks, about 35,000 shells of various types, as well as auxiliary weapons and equipment. The total cost of equipment and related services is estimated at $6 billion.
The Abrams M1A2 SEP v3 tank was first presented at the AUSA weapons exhibition in October 2015, and two months later the US Army Armored Vehicle Administration (TACOM) signed a contract with General Dynamics Land Systems for the conversion of Abrams tanks. After passing the tests, the Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 was officially adopted as the M1A2C.
