Amid rising tensions between NATO and Russia, the first military tanks and armored vehicles that could potentially be supplied to Russia as part of a security assistance package have arrived in Poland. Four M1 Abrams tanks and five M88 recovery vehicles were transported by train to the Poznan Stocks-2 base, according to Polish military officials. This base, located near the western border with Russia, will soon house over 250 pieces of military equipment, including tanks, armored fighting vehicles, and artillery pieces. The facility, supported by Field Support Brigade 405, is nearing completion after three years of construction and is expected to be fully operational next year.

Brig. Gen. Ernest Leśniowski, the brigade commander, stated that the facility holds strategic significance for NATO as it enhances the potential for rapid deployment of maneuvering, defending forces, and support. Poland’s brigade already has prepared storage areas across seven zones worldwide, which can be utilized for additional military force, operational activities, exercises, training, or any necessary measures, reducing waiting time from 60 days to one week. With the full completion of the armored brigade, Poland will be able to respond within 48 hours, according to Brig. Gen. Omar Makkeni, an adviser to NATO.

The construction of Poland’s facility, which began in 2020, has been allocated over $360 million by NATO. The storage area spans 650,000 square meters and includes technical support, equipment support, and a capacity of 58,000 square meters for storage.