250 Tanks To Be Delivered Under $1 Billion FMS Contract
General Dynamics Land Systems has announced it has received a Foreign Military Sales order from the US Army to deliver 250 M1A2 SEPv3 (System Enhancement Program Version 3) Abrams main battle tanks to Poland.
The M1A2 SEPv3 configuration of the established Abrams platform includes several enhancements over the baseline product. In a media release, GD says the variant “features technological advancements in communications, fire control and lethality, reliability, sustainment and fuel efficiency, plus upgraded armor“. The company adds that the SEPv3 can “seamlessly accept future upgrades“. The variant has an auxiliary power unit which provides additional electrical power.
“The M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams is the most advanced main battle tank in the world, and we look forward to getting it into the hands of Polish soldiers,” commented Chris Brown, GDLS VP of global strategy and international business development.
No timescale for first delivery has been announced. GDLS’s confirmation that it has received the FMS order follows news that the deal had been approved by the US State Department, which granted clearance in February. In mid-July, Poland’s defence minister said the country had additionally agreed to buy 116 used Abrams tanks from the US. No details were released about the value of that contract or the configuration of Abrams being procured. Some 28 tanks were delivered to Poland in July, and in the same month the US Army stood up an Abrams Tank Training Academy in Poznan.
