Despite acquiring hundreds of M1 Abrams main battle tanks over the past two years, Poland currently lacks the infrastructure to maintain the fleet’s gas turbine engines—a critical shortfall that defense officials now acknowledge was not fully addressed during the procurement process.
In an interview with Gazeta Prawna, Dr. Jacek Goszczyński, Director of Military Aviation Plant No. 1 (WZL-1), confirmed that Poland has no certified facility capable of servicing the AGT1500C turbine engines used in both the M1A1 and the newer M1A2 SEP v3 variants of the Abrams tank.
“Unfortunately, at the time of the purchase decision, these requirements were not taken into account,” Goszczyński said, referring to the complex industrial support needed for the U.S.-made propulsion systems.
Unlike traditional diesel engines, the Abrams’ AGT1500C is derived from an aviation turbine and requires depot-level maintenance at certified aerospace facilities.
Currently, any major engine repairs must be conducted in the United States, specifically at the Anniston Army Depot in Alabama. In some cases, Polish forces have had to rely on full component replacements due to the lack of local overhaul capability.
“The servicing of these engines is similar to that of helicopters,” Goszczyński noted. “It’s not only about runtime, but also start cycles and work phases—each instance requires diagnostics.”
Poland has ordered a total of 366 Abrams tanks—both M1A1s and M1A2 SEP v3s—as well as multiple support and recovery vehicles that use the same engine platform. Yet, the country remains dependent on foreign industrial support until local capacity is developed.
According to Goszczyński, WZL-1 is now preparing to launch an authorized maintenance center for the AGT1500C engine in cooperation with OEM Honeywell. However, he cautioned that this will be “a very difficult and expensive challenge,” requiring time, investment, and regulatory certification. If the process moves forward without delays, the earliest WZL-1 could become operational for engine maintenance would be 2028.
“Today we are the only facility in Poland capable of meeting this need in such a short timeframe—if we receive the order,” he added.
The problem is especially acute given NATO readiness standards, which require rapid force deployment and independent sustainment. The inability to service Abrams engines domestically creates potential operational constraints in a high-tempo environment, particularly if shipping engines to the U.S. for overhaul becomes logistically strained during a crisis.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include a comment by the Defence24.pl
In response to growing public concern, Defence24.pl reached out to the Ministry of National Defense (MON), which confirmed that capabilities for Abrams tank maintenance are being developed. According to the ministry, domestic repair capabilities for Abrams vehicles are expected to begin in 2026, with AGT1500 engine servicing scheduled to start in 2028. MON also noted that consultations are ongoing between WZL-1 and the Armed Forces Support Inspectorate regarding technical preparation.
At present, WZL-1 does not yet possess the certification or agreements required to service AGT1500 engines. However, the ministry emphasized that it is incorrect to claim all engine repairs must be conducted in the United States.
As MON stated, “Under the agreement for the acquisition of Abrams tanks, it is possible to use U.S. support for engine repairs until Poland’s own industrial capabilities are established.”
U.S. technical personnel are currently present on Polish territory to provide maintenance for Abrams tanks, including turbine repairs, in cooperation with Polish military technicians.