The exercise involved the newly delivered SEPv3 tanks, the most advanced variant of the Abrams platform, acquired through a USD 4.75 billion agreement with the United States. This was the first time these cutting-edge tanks fired live rounds on Polish soil, demonstrating their readiness for operational deployment.
Polish soldiers began Abrams training in October 2021 at a U.S. facility in Idaho. Since mid-2022, instruction has continued in Poland at the Abrams Tank Training Academy in Poznań, using earlier M1A1 SEPv2 models to prepare troops for the arrival of the SEPv3.
The crews selected for the live-fire exercise are experienced operators who trained extensively on the M1A1 and have now transitioned to the upgraded SEPv3. These tanks feature significant enhancements in fire control, survivability, and communication systems, making them a vital addition to Poland’s defence structure.
The first batch of 28 SEPv3 tanks arrived in January 2025 and were prepared for service at Zakłady Motoryzacyjne in Poznań. They will complement the 116 M1A1 SEPv2 tanks delivered by mid-2024, already in service with units including the 1st Tank Battalion in Wesoła and the 19th Mechanized Brigade in Lublin.
With the introduction of the SEPv3, Poland becomes only the third country—after the United States and Australia—to operate this advanced version of the Abrams. Australia’s first SEPv3 tanks were delivered in late 2024, shortly before Poland’s live-fire debut.
Although deliveries and training are proceeding as scheduled, officials stress that achieving full operational capability will depend on the adoption of active protection systems. These systems are considered critical for countering evolving threats on the modern battlefield.
Source: Polska Zbrojna.
