First batch of U.S.-made Abrams tanks arrive in Poland

More than a dozen U.S.-made M1 Abrams tanks arrived on the Baltic Sea port metropolis of Szczecin on Wednesday as a part of Poland’s multibillion-dollar navy modernization effort that has solely intensified since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The switch will assist fill the hole in Poland’s armored arsenal after it despatched about 240 of its Soviet-era T-72 tanks to Ukraine. Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak mentioned on Twitter Polish authorities are strengthening the armed forces so as to “effectively deter the aggressor,” in a transparent reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The safety of Poland and different japanese European NATO states has been put within the highlight once more this week following the aborted mutiny by Wagner Group mercenaries towards Mr. Putin’s authorities. Under a deal that ended the weekend disaster, Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and unknown hundreds of the corporate’s troops relocated to Belarus — in camps close to the Russian ally’s border with NATO international locations.

Polish President Andrzej Duda mentioned Tuesday the sudden presence of Wagner Group troops inside Belarus was a “very negative signal for us which we want to raise strongly with our allies.” Both Mr. Duda and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda made shock visits to Kyiv Wednesday for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to debate the occasions of the previous week and to preview a significant NATO summit set for Vilnius in two weeks.

Polish protection officers mentioned 14 M1A1 Abrams tanks had been on the primary ship and about 100 extra will quickly observe as a part of a $1.4 billion contract. The tanks had been supposed for the U.S. Marines however the service’s shift to a extra nimble, amphibious-focused drive centered on China and East Asia made the metallic behemoths expandable.

“They are here. The Abrams — the best friends of the American Marines — will soon join our soldiers and take care of Poland’s security,” Mr. Blaszczak mentioned on Twitter. “This is an important day for the Polish army.” He hailed the Abrams tanks because the “best in the world” and mentioned Poland will quickly have a ample quantity readily available to subject a battalion’s value of them.

In addition to the M1A1 Abrams, Poland is also shopping for 250 top-of-the-line M1A2 tank fashions in a separate $4.75 billion deal. They are on account of arrive by 2026 however officers in Warsaw hope to speed up the supply.

“Not every country can have such tanks. Poland is the first country outside the United States that will have Abrams tanks in the most modern version,” Mr. Blaszczak mentioned, in response to the Agence France-Presse information company.