Poland has finalized an annex to its original January 2023 agreement with the United States to acquire 25 M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles (ABVs), enhancing its battlefield breaching capabilities. Valued at approximately $115 million, the updated deal includes not just the vehicles, but also training programs, logistics support, and spare parts. The M1150s, expected to arrive in 2029, will be distributed across selected Polish Land Forces units.
The decision followed a formal request from the Polish Armed Forces in 2023 and was accelerated due to the U.S. offer’s expiration date set for the end of July 2025. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Bejda.
Built on the M1A1 Abrams tank chassis, the 72-ton M1150 is an advanced combat engineering vehicle tailored for breaching minefields and fortified barriers. It is fitted with dual M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC) launchers that can fire explosive charges up to 150 meters ahead, clearing safe corridors up to 8 meters wide. Additional features include a wide mine plow, high-visibility lane marking system, thermal cameras, and a remotely operated 12.7 mm M2 machine gun for self-defense.
Originally developed after the cancellation of the Grizzly Combat Mobility Vehicle, the M1150 entered U.S. Marine Corps service in 2008. It was deployed in Afghanistan during operations such as Cobra’s Anger in 2009. Other users now include Australia, Romania, Bahrain, and Ukraine—the latter having suffered confirmed losses of at least two units in 2024.
In the Polish context, integration of the M1150 into the 18th Mechanized Division is anticipated, as it already operates Abrams tanks. Poland currently lacks tracked engineering platforms for mechanized breaching, a gap that this acquisition will fill. The vehicle’s armor, 1500 hp turbine engine, and tool modularity enable it to function effectively in heavily mined and defended environments.
The agreement could also pave the way for additional acquisitions like M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicles and mobile maintenance units, potentially replacing the unsuccessful Kajman recovery vehicle program. While funding details remain under interministerial discussion, the existing Abrams support infrastructure in Poznań will ease integration and maintenance.
Poland’s expanding arsenal of U.S.-made equipment—including Apaches, HIMARS, Patriot systems, and advanced radars—demonstrates its broader modernization drive. The M1150 ABV acquisition is a strategic move toward a more cohesive, interoperable, and survivable armored force under the NATO framework.
