Poland's future fleet of M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks will include examples that feature refurbished M1A1 turrets. As part of the sale, the U.S. Army is facilitating the installation of a Foreign Military Sales-approved armor package onto those turrets.The Army is currently looking to sole-source that work to General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS). As part of its justification, the service has released information on why it rejected three alternative bids, underscoring the sensitives at play.
The Army said it estimated it would take 64 months, or just over 5 years, to get any of these other contractors up to speed. The bulk of this time would be spent establishing secure and accredited facilities to do the work. Beyond the security issues, there are additional health and safety requirements that come with working with and otherwise handling DU.
Reports say 116 due to be delivered this year and completed in 2024..
I don’t know how its being done with respect to the DU.
“The first of the M1A1 Abrams tanks will begin to be delivered this year, with all 116 due to be in Poland by the end of 2024. In a separate $4.75 billion deal (agreed before the war in Ukraine), Poland is also buying 250 M1A2 Abrams tanks from the US. Those are due to arrive in 2025-26, though Poland hopes to accelerate delivery.”