Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak on Wednesday signed an agreement to purchase a second batch of US-made ABRAMS main battle tanks to help Poland increase its defence capabilities and strengthen military cooperation with Washington amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

The agreement is a continuation of last year’s agreement for the purchase of 250 advanced M1A2 ABRAMS tanks to be delivered in the 2025-2026 period.

Błaszczak signed the $1.4 billion deal at a military base in Wesola, near Warsaw. The agreement covers the delivery of 116 M1A1 ABRAMS tanks related equipment and logistics from this year.

The signing ceremony was attended by US Deputy Chief of Mission in Poland Daniel Lawton and US Brigadier General John Lubas, Deputy Commander of the 101st Airborne Division stationed in southeast Poland, near the Ukrainian border.

Poland is the first US ally to receive an ABRAMS tank in Europe.