American tanks in the hands of Polish mechanics. Military Automotive Works (WZM, Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne) in Poznań are getting ready to service Abrams.

Basic technical maintenance, servicing, and keeping the tanks in working order will be handled by military mechanics at the unit, while more complicated repairs will be carried out at the Regional Competence Center.

In recent years, the Polish Armed Forces have ordered a total of 366 Abrams tanks in two variants: 116 M1A1 FEP tanks from the inventory of the US Marine Corps, delivered until June 2024, and 250 brand-new M1A2 SEPv3 tanks. Deliveries of the latter began in 2025 and are to be completed by the end of 2026. Abrams tanks are considered among the best-armored and best-armed tanks in the world, with proven ballistic resistance. In addition, the 250 new SEPv3 tanks are equipped with state-of-the-art targeting, communications, and battlefield management systems. The Polish military has opted for the Abrams tanks not only because of its modernization plans. It is also a matter of filling the equipment gap after transferring hundreds of own tanks (T-72s and PT-91s) to Ukraine, as well as strengthening the eastern flank in the face of the threat from Russia.

Get the Tank Ready

WZM, which after the already initiated merger with H.Cegielski-Poznań will become Hipolit Cegielski Greater Poland Armored Works (Wielkopolskie Zakłady Pancerne Hipolita Cegielskiego), has already been servicing Leopard 2A5 tanks since 2016, so it is experienced in this type of activity. In order to centralize work on new vehicles in the Polish Armed Forces, the Abrams Regional Competence Center was opened there in 2024. For the time being, Poznań is carrying out the so-called deprocessing of M1A1 FEP and M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, which involves comprehensive inspection and preparation prior to their transfer to the Polish Armed Forces. “This process includes mounting the equipment that had to be removed and secured for the purpose of sea transport. At the Abrams Competence Center, the tanks are retrofitted according to the configuration specified for the recipient and undergo the necessary inspections and technical checks. This ensures that they retain their full combat capability and are handed over to the new user in fully operational condition,” explains Mikołaj Tokarek, Production Director at WZM.

As part of the deprocessing, the tanks arriving in Poland are also tested. “The tests primarily involve checking the systems, such as the vision and fire control systems, but without live-fire exercises – these are conducted by the military at the Biedrusko training ground. We also carry out road tests to check the braking system, and so on,” explains Mikołaj Tokarek. He adds that the deprocessing of the older M1A1 FEP tanks has already been completed, and in the case of the newer M1A2 SEPv3 tanks, it is already halfway through, in line with the delivery schedule.

A Good Mechanic Is Essential

Ultimately, the center in Poznań is to be ready to perform repairs by the time the second batch of tanks is delivered, that is, by the end of this year. At the beginning of 2026, a renovated WZM hall with an area of 20,000 square meters was made available for the center’s needs. It houses over 75 service bays, which will significantly speed up the entire process.

“The repairs we’ll be carrying out will include replacing components, gearboxes, seals, parts of the chassis, the turret system, and the transmission,” explains Mikołaj Tokarek. He adds that basic technical maintenance, servicing, and keeping the tanks in working order will be handled by military mechanics at the unit, while more complicated repairs will be carried out in Poznań.

For the time being, training on the operation and repair of Abrams tanks, supervised by the representatives of the manufacturer, General Dynamics Land Systems, is underway at the center. “The fact that we already service Leopard tanks at WZM makes things easier. Still, we are training under the guidance of instructors from General Dynamics Land Systems, and we’ve also sent some of our staff to the military to undergo the same training as tank crew members, drivers, operators, and so on. We want our knowledge and repair skills to be backed by military experience,” emphasizes Mikołaj Tokarek.

Long-Term Maintenance

Currently, WZM is negotiating with the ordering party, the 2nd Regional Logistics Base in Warsaw (2. RBLog), on the details of a multi-year framework agreement specifying the scope of maintenance for the Abrams tanks. WZM is the only entity selected by the army to carry out this task.

“This is a milestone in ensuring full and comprehensive support for the Polish Armed Forces’ needs regarding Abrams tanks, as well as a significant moment for the Military Automotive Works, where the Regional Competence Center for Abrams tanks has been operating dynamically since February 2024. The Polish Armaments Group attaches great importance to the responsibility that rests with the domestic defense industry, also in terms of repair and maintenance services for equipment purchased by our country,” says Grzegorz Szkaradek, President of the Management Board and General Director of WZM SA.

The framework agreement on the servicing of Abrams tanks is to be concluded by the end of 2026.

Engines Serviced in Dęblin

Apart from Poznań, the Abrams tanks, and more specifically – their engines, will be serviced in Dęblin. In May of this year, Military Aviation Works No. 1 (WZL-1, Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze nr 1 SA) in Dęblin signed a contract with Honeywell, the manufacturer of the tanks’ engines. The investment is worth 300 million zlotys. The authorized service center for AGT1500 gas turbine engines will perform comprehensive overhauls. It will be the only facility of its kind in Europe, and the third in the world. It is scheduled to begin operations in 2028.