Polish 18th Mechanised Division based on US model, with M1A1 tanks

Poland received its first company of 14 M1A1 tanks that equip the 18th Mechanised Division at the port of Szczecin on 28 June. (Polish MND)

The Polish 18th Mechanised Division is based on the US model, Polish Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak said on 5 August during a visit to Siedlce, eastern Poland, where the formation is headquartered.

Błaszczak said the division already has M1A1 Abrams tanks and expects it to receive Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) with a range of up to 300 km “soon”. The 18th Mechanised Division's 18th Artillery Regiment, which will receive the MRLs, will be expanded into a brigade, he added.

Błaszczak and Son Jae-il, president and CEO of Hanwha Defense, signed a framework contract for 288 K239 Chunmoo MRLs on 19 October 2022.

Poland received its first companyof 14 M1A1 tanks for the 18th Mechanised Division's 1st Warsaw Armoured Brigade on 28 June, to be followed by two more companies later in 2023 and a second battalion in 2024.

Błaszczak said the 18th Mechanised Division is important for the security of Poland and of NATO's eastern flank.

He announced that Poland was forming a fourth division in 2018. The formation was declared fully operational in June 2021.

Błaszczak announced in September 2022 that Poland was forming a fifth division based mainly in the Podlaskie Voivodeship between the 16th Mechanised Division headquartered in Elbląg and the 18th Mechanised Division in Siedlce.