State Department gives preliminary approval to $6 billion tanks sale to Poland

The U.S. has given preliminary approval for a sale of $6 billion worth of battle tanks and other equipment to Poland as the U.S. continues to bolster NATO’s defense capabilities along the alliance’s eastern flank. 

Speaking to reporters from Poland on Friday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the procurement will “help to ensure a more equitable sharing of responsibilities within the alliance for our common defense.”

Austin said the time frame for delivery of the tanks is still under discussion. 

The sale comes as the U.S. and Poland work closely together on security cooperation amid fears that Russia could invade Ukraine — an event that NATO warns would trigger a unified response from the alliance.

The U.S. has sent a total of 4,700 troops stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., to Poland to help assure the alliance. 

Austin said Friday that the troops are prepared to respond to a “range of contingencies,” adding that they would work with the Polish government “should there be any need to help American citizens leave Ukraine.”

Last month, Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee pushed Austin to expedite congressional notification of the weapons sale to help bolster NATO’s eastern flank against Russia. The sale is still subject to Congressional approval.

“It is critical that the United States do all we can to reinforce NATO’s Eastern Front as Russia’s threats to further invade Ukraine grow more troubling by the day,” Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), the ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement on Friday. “I’m glad to see that these tanks will finally be going to Poland to aide in the defense of NATO.”

According to a press release from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the Polish government requested 250 M1A2 Abrams Main Battle tanks.  

The Abrams tanks are a full-tracked, low-profile land combat assault weapon that comes with a 1,500-horsepower turbine engine, 120 mm main gun and special armor, according to the Army’s Acquisition Support Center.

Austin said the country was getting “the most modern version” of the Abrams tank, adding that they will provide Poland with “highly-advanced tank capability.”

“It will also strengthen our interoperability with the Polish armed forces, boosting the credibility of our combined deterrence efforts and those of other NATO allies,” Austin said.

In addition, the sale includes 26 Hercules Combat recovery vehicles, 276 M2 .50 caliber machine guns and 500 M240C 7.62mm machine guns, among other equipment.