A European Powerhouse: Polish Military Aid To Ukraine

Arguably the most significant Polish arms delivery consists of some 230+ T-72M(R) and T-72M1(R) MBTs. While Spain and Germany considered but ultimately refrained from sending ten Leopard 2A4s and 88 Leopard 1A5s, Poland (along with North Macedonia) showed little hesitation in transferring a significant portion of its combat-ready T-72 tank fleet to Ukraine in April, where they were subsequently up-armoured through the addition of Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour (ERA). A number of these T-72s previously underwent a modernisation programme in Poland that saw the fitting of new fire-control, (night) sights and communication systems, greatly increasing their effectiveness on the plains of Ukraine. [1]

 

In July 2022 it was further announced that Poland would supply Ukraine with a number of PT-91 MBTs, a significantly improved local version of the T-72M1. [2] Rather than outright replacing the 250 or more MBTs lost by Ukraine since February 24, the vast majority of the Polish-delivered T-72s (and likely also the PT-91s) are currently held back for use with newly-established mechanised brigades in future offensive actions throughout Russian-occupied Ukraine. [3] These units are the recipients of most of the AFVs currently delivered to Ukraine, and provide the Ukrainian Military High Command with a strategic reserve for both offensive and defensive operations.

Contrary to the T-72s, all of the Polish Army's PT-91s are currently fielded by active-duty units. The resulting shortfall in Polish military capabilities after their delivery to Ukraine is to be made up by deployment of British Challenger 2 MBTs to Poland and the delivery of 116 M1A1 Abrams MBTs from the United States, in addition to the 250 M1A2 SEPv3s ordered in April 2022. [4] Their acquisition is part of an immense rearmament programme that is to see the purchase of up to 1000 K2PL MBTs and 672 K9 SPGs from South Korea and up to 500 M142 HIMARS from the United States. [5] [6] A constant inflow of new armament allows Poland to retire increasing amounts of Soviet-era weapon types that can then be transferred to Ukraine, ensuring Poland's status as an arsenal of freedom for years to come.

Perhaps even more important than the T-72/PT-91 MBTs and BWP-1 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) is the delivery of long-range artillery assets such as the 155mm AHS Krab. Poland has donated eighteen of these modern SPGs in June 2022, with another 54 examples purchased by Ukraine to be delivered in the coming year(s). [7] The AHS Krab combines the turret of the British AS-90M with a Rheinmetall 155mm/52-caliber barrel and a Polish Topaz fire-control system mated to the chassis of the K9 Thunder SPG to give its cannon a range of 30km (or 40km when using base bleed rounds). A total of 72 of these advanced artillery pieces would certainly make it amongst the most numerous modern SPGs in Ukrainian service, serving alongside smaller numbers of PzH 2000s, French CAESARs and Slovakian Zuzana 2s.

Equally impressive have been a number of Polish crowdfunding actions organised by journalist Sławomir Sierakowski and the Army of Drones, the cumulative efforts of which have resulted in the purchase of one Bayraktar TB2 from Baykar Tech (which subsequently gave the drone free of charge, with the $5 million raised to be used for charities helping Ukrainian citizens), 20 WB Electronics FlyEye reconnaissance UAVs and 20 WB Electronics Warmate loitering munitions. [8] This substantive military aid coming from the Polish private sector demonstrates Polish citizens are firmly united behind Ukraine's cause, in so doing impacting the course of the war to a greater extent than some entire nation states have done.

As the Russo-Ukrainian War currently shows no sign of abating, further military aid to Ukraine is undoubtedly being contemplated. This could include additional BWP-1 IFVs, SAM systems, SPGs and MRLs, engineering equipment, Mi-8/17 and Mi-24 (attack) helicopters and drones. Another asset highly sought after by Ukraine that is currently in service with Poland is the MiG-29 fighter aircraft. Though an earlier plan to donate 20+ of Poland's MiG-29s to Ukraine ultimately did not come to fruition, a prolonged conflict in Ukraine might well see their eventual transfer to the country in return for secondhand F-16s from the U.S. Air Force. Whether such a donation is to materialise would ultimately have little impact on Poland's well-established status as one of the staunchest allies of Ukraine.