Letter to Hon. Tony Blinken, Secretary of State and Hon. Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense - Portman, Colleagues Urge Defense and State Departments to Expedite the Approval of the Sale of Abrams Tanks to Poland, Citing Increased Tensions with Russia

Letter

Dear Secretary Austin and Secretary Blinken:

In light of current events in Europe and our commitment to support our staunch NATO allies, we express our strongest support to expedite approval of the Polish government's request for the Foreign Military Sale of M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks.

As you know, Poland is a close and critical ally of the United States, a full member of NATO since 1999, and is crucial to NATO's Eastern Flank particularly when faced with Russian antagonism. Last July, Poland expressed their intent to buy at least 250 M1A2 SEPv3 tanks from the United States to replace older Russian designs. With the Dutch decision to divest tanks from their armed forces in 2020, Poland's decision to buy these tanks enhances a much needed capability in Europe. Combined with increased tensions in the region, this request takes on even greater urgency. Six months ago, Poland provided a Letter of Request for these tanks highlighting the need to deepen interoperability between the U.S. and NATO allies in Eastern Europe. The U.S. government has yet to provide Congressional notification of the sale, or to provide a Letter of Offer and Acceptance to Poland.

We urge you both to take the necessary actions to expedite and finalize this sale so the United States can assist a key ally before the end of this year. This action would be in line with our long standing policy of equipping allies with advanced defense technologies in a manner compatible with our national security concerns. We have provided partners such as Australia with modified Abrams tanks in the past and given the fast deteriorating situation in Europe, we believe we should move quickly to support our Polish friends in a similar manner.

Further, consistent with language contained in the House of Representatives Committee Report of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, we ask that you provide an update to the defense and foreign relations committees of the House and Senate on the status of Poland's request for Abrams tanks as soon as possible and no later than February 28, 2022.

Thank you for your immediate consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,