Image source: topwar.ru
Poland was transferred to Ukraine, almost all combat-ready armored vehicles, including the Soviet T-72 tanks, and now intends to strengthen tank group of foreign technology. In the near future in the Polish army will receive the first batch of U.S. Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 of the 250 total amount on the contract. Warsaw also intends to acquire the South Korean K2 1000 and still counting on German Leopard. About crew training to the development of new technology, modernisation plans for the armored group army in an interview Defence24 the Inspector told the Polish Land forces, major-General Maciej Jablonski.
According to the General, currently on the ground in Biedrusko Academy began operation Abrams, in which preparations for the Polish soldiers to the development and operation of the American tanks. The place was chosen on the recommendation of the Polish-American experts who have examined several polygons, but this was the most suitable for training.
The process of training of future tank is exactly the same as in Fort hood, where stationed 1st cavalry division, which includes the first two brigades of the U.S. army, equipped with the same tanks Abrams. Currently, the American manufacturer has provided for these purposes, Poland 28 workout machines Abrams.
In addition to training crews, preparing a well-coordinated command and cooperation tank units with the use of technology on different platforms. Emphasis is put on the fact that in the technical plan the integration of all processes of interaction was built with 90% of Polish equipment. At the same time is modernisation of infrastructure, the 18th mechanized division, the weapons which will come Abrams: the construction of garages, created rembaza, simulation center, and control room.
Jablonski said that in the Polish army planned to create two separate mechanized division, solve different tactical tasks. Heavy Abrams tanks will arrive in the 18th division, which needs to withstand powerful blows and to seize the initiative on the battlefield. More maneuverable K2 will go into service of the 16th mechanized division. Its tasks will include rapid response, conducting defensive operations in difficult field conditions.
According to the Polish General, each tank battalion today weight in gold.
To support the Panzer divisions of Poland is planning to purchase other vehicles. In particular, armored Korean cars AS-21 Redback. The main task, the General said, is that all purchased equipment fully comply with NATO standards and might interact with each other.
Answering a journalist's question, why do you need such a large-scale rearmament of the Polish army, the General said:
Polish General did not leave the answer to the most difficult question concerning the presence of military personnel required to manage such modifications fighting vehicles. While great strides in this direction is not. So, for learning Korean K2 this year teaching in South Korea will be only 30 of Polish specialists. But the question is, will there be enough money in the military budget of Poland, which was constantly growing, multi-year service and maintenance, such amount of combat vehicles, Jablonski artfully left.
But have yet to find money for the purchase and subsequent maintenance of American fighters F-16 and F-35, the creation of a layered missile defense system on the basis of launchers Patriot — all the plans also include the modernization of the Polish army.
To finish the interview with the Polish General did not hide the true causes of such a powerful army modernization, primarily the strengthening of the ground forces armored vehicles. According to him, the armor is needed in order to increase the capacity, "which is created in Ukraine", which will allow in the future to "prepare such measures, which will allow you to regain lost territory".
Just to have enough money for the purchase and maintenance of such a lot of expensive foreign technology. Unless Germany agrees to pay Warsaw required reparations in the amount of 1.3 trillion euros. It is very unlikely.