Poland Receives Latest Batch of M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams and M88A2 ARVs
Poland’s government announced in mid-September 2025 that a shipment of 52 armored vehicles made in the US had arrived. The shipment includes 38 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks and 14 M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicles and was offloaded on the night of September 11. The M1A2 SEPv3 is the latest Abrams model and is armed with a 120mm smoothbore main gun. It is also equipped with an advanced fire-control system and new programmable ammunition for greater accuracy. Its armor protection is also upgraded to the SEP v3 configuration. The M88A2 Hercules is a heavy recovery vehicle (built on an M60 chassis) used to tow or lift damaged tanks on the battlefield; it can pull a 70-ton tank and lift over 30 tons with its crane. This delivery brings Poland’s total Abrams force to 85 of the newest SEPv3 tanks and 116 older M1A1 tanks (a fleet of 201 tanks) backed by 26 recovery vehicles.
The new vehicles arrived under a long‐planned U.S.–Poland arms procurement. In April 2022, Poland signed a $4.75 billion deal to buy 250 Abrams tanks. Poland also separately agreed in early 2023 to buy 116 surplus M1A1 Abrams with supporting equipment. These Abrams are being delivered gradually through 2026, along with related systems such as armored bridge layers and breacher vehicles. The Ministry of Defense says Poland is even setting up Abrams spare‐parts production under U.S. cooperation, to ensure sustainment and strengthen NATO’s supply network. The latest shipment of 38 Abrams and 14 recovery vehicles will fully equip one Polish tank battalion with the most modern SEPv3 model.
Polish officials emphasize this delivery’s strategic importance. Kosiniak-Kamysz hailed the arrival on social media, calling it “one of the largest sea transports” of equipment to Poland. He promised that “the new equipment will soon reach our units.” NATO allies see the buildup of Polish armor as strengthening the alliance’s eastern flank as adding SEPv3 Abrams tanks will enhance NATO’s defense posture along its eastern flank amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
The modern Abrams fleet is a force multiplier for Poland. These tanks and support vehicles allow the Polish Army to operate more powerful, survivable armored brigades. The armed forces plan to re-equip an entire armored brigade with the new Abrams variant, and eventually upgrade additional units. The vehicles also tie into NATO exercises and interoperability, since many allied armies operate Abrams tanks. This delivery emphasizes Poland’s effort to develop a modern armored force for the 21st century. Poland aims to counter threats along its border and bolster NATO’s overall defense by growing its tank battalions and boosting logistics.