Defence chief: Poland to get first US Abrams tanks in spring

Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak has said he expects the first of the 250 Abrams tanks ordered from the US to arrive as early as spring.

"We will receive the first Polish Abrams even this spring. These will be the first units of the ordered batch of 250 tanks,"  Polsat News quotes him as saying.

Blaszczak stressed that the Abrams are "a great force" for the Polish army. 

"The task of these tanks will be to close the Brest Gate. To create a barrier that would be impassable if an aggressor decided to attack Poland," the minister said.

The defence chief said 58 Abrams will be delivered to Poland in 2023.

Blaszczak also said that the Abrams is much better than the Leopard tanks, as they have a more powerful engine, they are faster, and they have more acceleration.

He noted that, first of all, both American and German-made tanks are clearly superior to Russian tanks. Their advantage is a "greater range of vision".

US President Joe Biden confirmed intentions to transfer 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, equal to one Ukrainian battalion, to strengthen its defence capabilities amidst Russian aggression. Along with the tanks, the US will provide training and spare parts to the Ukrainian military "as quickly as possible".