US State Department gives preliminary approval to $6 billion tanks sale to Poland

The United States has given preliminary approval for a sale of battle tanks and other equipment to Poland as the US continues to bolster NATO forces amid tensions over Ukraine.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the sale worth $6 billion will “help to ensure a more equitable sharing of responsibilities within the alliance for our common defense.”

Austin said the time frame for delivery of the tanks was not determined yet as the sale is still subject to Congressional approval.

The Polish government requested 250 M1A2 Abrams Main Battle tanks, according to a press release from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The Abrams tanks are a full-tracked, low-profile land combat assault weapon that comes with 120 mm main gun and special armor, according to the Army’s Acquisition Support Center.

Austin said Poland was getting “the most modern version” of the Abrams tank.

The sale also includes 26 Hercules Combat recovery vehicles, 276 M2 .50 caliber machine guns and 500 M240C 7.62mm machine guns, among other equipment.

This comes as the US and Poland are working on security cooperation amidst the West’s allegations that Russia could invade Ukraine.

The US has already sent a total of 4,700 troops stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., to Poland.

Austin said Friday that the troops are ready to respond to a “range of contingencies,” adding that they would work with the Polish government “should there be any need to help American citizens leave Ukraine.”

Washington and its NATO allies have been accusing Russia of plans to invade Ukraine by amassing about 150,000 troops and armaments near the border with Ukraine. Moscow has vehemently rejected the allegations, saying the military build-up is defensive in nature, slamming NATO over its increased military activity near Russian borders.

Biden says 'convinced' Putin has decided to invade Ukraine

President Joe Biden repeated his claim Friday that the US had intelligence showing his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has made up his mind to invade Ukraine.

On Saturday, Austin told reporters in Lithuania that he agrees with President Joe Biden that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has made up his mind to invade Ukraine.

“For months now, Russia has been building up its military forces in and around Ukraine, including in Belarus. They are uncoiling and are now poised to strike,” Austin said.

In a major step toward de-escalation, Moscow said that some of the Russian troops deployed in areas bordering Ukraine would return to their bases. It also released footage showing some tanks and armored vehicles being loaded onto railway flatcars.

The West claims that the presence of Russian military forces is not diminishing, but on the contrary, growing.

Russia has lambasted the “unfounded accusations” by the US and NATO that it was not withdrawing troops, saying it will take time to draw to a close the current military exercises.

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