A Polish military logistics workforce has completed M1A2 SEPV3 Abrams main battle tank maintenance training under the US Army in Powidz.
Held at the Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 facility, the course prepared the personnel to provide necessary services for US and European Abrams deployed in the region.
The team received lessons from US Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) instructors and achieved a 96-percent passing rate.
A certificate was awarded to each individual who graduated from the course. Top students also received M1A2 Abrams tank belt buckles and TACOM Commander’s Coins for Excellence.
According to the army, the sustainment proficiency program delivered to Polish partners is equivalent to those offered for the service’s M1 Abrams Tank System Maintainer occupational specialty framework.
“This is one of the most important missions for the Polish military right now,” Polish Logistics Support Officer Lt. Col. Przemel Musiej stated.
“This is the first site of its kind in Poland, and for us this complex demonstrates the strong partnership we have with the US and NATO.”
New Army Warehouse
The Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 in Powidz encompasses 650,000 square feet (60,386 square meters) and incorporates dedicated areas for repairs, stocks, and other support equipment.
The humidity-controlled warehouse also has a separate space for extra munitions.
The US government previously noted that the center is among the largest investments between the Pentagon and NATO in three decades.
It is expected to cut delays by about 80 percent compared to the usual 60-day wait time before a tactical vehicle’s redeployment from maintenance.
Design and construction for the facility was led in collaboration with the US Army Corps of Engineers.
The site was finalized and inaugurated in April 2023. It then received its first batch of armored vehicles including the Abrams fifteen months later.
Abrams in Poland
American defense contractor General Dynamics signed a deal in August 2022 to manufacture 250 M1A2 Abrams tanks for the Polish Armed Forces.
The $1.148-billion project will ship the initial tranche of the vehicles in 2025.
Currently, the European country operates 116 Abrams in its older variant, the M1A1, that were sourced from the US Marine Corps.
Deliveries of the M1A1s commenced in 2023 and were completed in June this year.
