On December 23, in Biedrusko, Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki and Mariusz Błaszczak, Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of National Defense, met with crews training on Abrams tanks and soldiers of the Land Forces Training Center.

- I can say that almost 100 soldiers and technicians underwent training here at the Land Forces Training Center as part of the "Abrams Academy". These are the people who are to smoothly take over the operation of Abrams tanks next year for the equipment of the Polish Armed Forces. These tanks will be stationed in the 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade, which is part of the 18th Mechanized Division, the "Iron Division", established in 2018. Established in the place where in 2011 the PO-PSL coalition disbanded the 1st Warsaw Mechanized Division named after Tadeusz Kosciuszko.

- stressed Deputy Prime Minister.

In April the head of the Ministry of National Defense signed a contract for the supply of 250 third generation ABRAMS M1A2 SEPv3 tanks, along with accompanying equipment, including M88A2 HERCULES vehicles and M1074 Joint Assault Bridges, as well as training and logistics packages, and ammunition supplies. The value of the contract is USD 4.75 billion. Deliveries are scheduled to be completed in 2026.

Abrams tanks will be delivered mainly to the 18th Mechanized Division. In the training conducted by the American side under the so-called Abrams Academy, a total of over 150 soldiers took part in 2022. It includes technical staff, instructors and crews - direct users of the equipment. The American side provided training personnel. Abrams Academy will continue in 2023.

- The aim of Abrams tanks with Polish crews is to defend the eastern part of our country - so that the aggressor, the rulers of the Kremlin who are trying to rebuild the empire of evil, would not dare to attack Poland. This is the best method of deterring the aggressor – thanks to the increasing number of the Polish Armed Forces’ soldiers, by creating new military units and new tactical units, such as the modernly equipped 18th "Iron” Division.

- noted the head of the Ministry of National Defence.

In addition to the package of 250 ABRAMS SEPv3 tanks approved by the US Congress, Poland will also receive 116 ABRAMS tanks in their earlier configuration - M1A1, with a communication and battlefield management system compatible with the acquired Abrams M1A2 SEPv.3 tanks. Additional tanks are donated by the American side as the result of the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine and the transfer of armament donated by Poland, which made it necessary to restore the combat potential of military equipment and increase the combat capabilities of the land forces.

Being at the training ground in Biedrusko, Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the cooperation between the Polish and American land forces is in an extremely well state.

- The Command of the U.S. Army’s V Corps is permanently based in Poland. It was on the basis of this cooperation that the Abrams Academy was created – a place where Polish tankers and technicians are trained to operate the most modern tanks in the world

- added the Deputy Prime Minister.

- We consistently strengthen the Polish Armed Forces. The 18th Division will have Abrams next year. The 16th Mechanized Division, responsible for the security of the north-eastern part of our country, is already equipped with Korean K2 tanks. All units of the Polish Army are, and will be, consistently being equipped with modern weapons in order to deter the aggressor - to prove that Poland is safe. (…) Poland's position on the international arena is increasing. These are all consequences of the Polish authorities’ efforts. Since 2015, both the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Andrzej Duda, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and the Polish government, have been consistently strengthening Poland's position on the international arena by strengthening the Polish Armed Forces, by strengthening units and equipping them with modern weapons

- said M. Blaszczak.

During the meeting in Biedrusko, on the day before Christmas, Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak thanked the soldiers for their daily service, both in the country and abroad.

- A very important day in our culture is approaching. First of all, we thank for everything that happened in our lives. We exchange Christmas wishes with each other, we long for Christmas to have a family atmosphere, that it would be peaceful, safe and cheerful. It is also near the end of the year, so we summarize everything that has happened in the past 12 months. It was full of challenges. There is a war next to our eastern border - Russia invaded Ukraine

– said Deputy Prime Minister.

- Our historical experience is that regardless of whether Russia was white or red, or is now Putin's, it always committed war crimes. The best response to all these threats is to strengthen the Polish Armed Forces by increasing the number of troops, by equipping the Polish units with modern weapons and by Allied cooperation within NATO

– emphasized the head of the Ministry of National Defense during the meeting with the soldiers.

- We cannot scrimp on the armed forces, we must make a huge effort - which we are making - so that the Polish forces will soon become the strongest in all of Europe.

- Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said during the meeting.

- The basic pillar of a modern army - domestic production and purchases of the most modern equipment abroad. Today, together with Prime Minister Błaszczak, we are visiting a unit that already hosts the most modern tanks in the world - Abrams. Abrams is unmatched on the battlefield and will have great potential to deter our possible enemies

- said Prime Minister, and as he emphasized, the pillar of the army must also be strong finances.

- It is thanks to the repair of public finances that we can afford to make these purchases, on a previously unknown scale. I repeat - these are also funds from the National Reconstruction Plan, which will enter Polish investments and will impact taxes and salaries of Polish employees, as well as strengthen Poland's defense potential

- noted Prime Minister.

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The Abrams tanks acquired by Poland are identical to those used by the US armed forces, they are modern, compatible with US equipment, meet all current NATO requirements and standards, and are equipped with the latest communication, vehicle positioning and combat management systems, which allows visualizing the combat environment to all users of these tanks at various levels of command.

The Land Forces Training Center in Biedrusko is subordinated directly to the General Commander of the Armed Forces. Its main task is the education, training and professional development of soldiers, in accordance with the needs of the Polish Armed Forces and the requirements, conclusions and experiences from the implementation of tasks in the national, Allied and international systems.