Through the 1960s and 1970s, the MBT replaced almost all other types of tanks, leaving only some specialist roles to be filled by lighter designs or other types of armored fighting vehicles. The first designated MBT was the British Chieftain tank, which during its development in the 1950s was re-designed as an MBT: 'Chieftain, which until then had been called Medium Gun Tank No 2, was renamed the Main Battle Tank'. Cold War-era development of more powerful engines, better suspension systems and lighter composite armor allowed for the design of a tank that had the firepower of a super-heavy tank, the armor protection of a heavy tank, and the mobility of a light tank, in a package with the weight of a medium tank. (Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | EURACTIV.A main battle tank ( MBT), also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the role of armor-protected direct fire and maneuver in many modern armies. Poland is the first European and NATO country to purchase Abrams tanks – third-generation American main battle tanks designed by Chrysler Defence that first entered service in 1980. The newly-acquired tanks are meant to replace the equipment Poland donated to war-torn Ukraine. The US also agreed to sell ammunition to Poland, including subcalibre ammunition with depleted uranium.Īdditionally, in 2022, Poland signed a $4.7 billion agreement with the United States to get 250 upgraded M1A2 Abrams tanks in 2024-2026. The entire deal with Washington is valued at about $1.4 billion, with $200 million covered by Washington as part of the aid funds for Poland. “Another two tank companies will be delivered later in the year,” the minister added.Īs a result of the three deliveries, Poland will have a battalion of Abrams tanks as soon as this year, Blaszczak told the state broadcaster TVP Info on Monday, adding that another battalion would be delivered next year.

The first batch, which arrived at Polish Szczecin-Świnoujście port on Tuesday evening, included “14 tanks, that is, one company,” said Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak. Polish crews were trained to use these tanks in 2022 in the Biedrusok municipality, where an Abrams Academy was established in cooperation with the US Army. Poland ordered 116 used M1A1 Abrams that had been withdrawn from the US Marines corpus and repaired.

Washington sent Poland the first batch of Abrams tanks set to replace equipment donated for Ukraine, with another two batches expected later this year.

Future us main battle tanks