The US military has announced the arrival of the first batch of armored vehicles at a newly established storage facility in Poland, marking a key step in strengthening NATO’s defenses against potential Russian aggression along its eastern borders.
On June 27, the Powidz Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 (APS-2) worksite, located approximately 250 miles west of the Ukrainian border, received 14 M1A2 Abrams battle tanks and an M88 recovery vehicle.
According to a press release from the US Army on June 28, the Powidz APS-2 worksite is considered the most advanced prepositioned stocks facility globally.
By 2025, the site should be fully mission-capable, and this new installation brings it one step closer to that goal. The APS-2 facility, a NATO-funded project, is maintained by the 405th Army Field Support Brigade.
The US Army highlighted that this initiative was NATO’s most significant single infrastructure project in the last 30 years. A video released by the 405th Army Field Support Brigade on X (formerly Twitter) showcased the arrival of the vehicles at the site.
The newest, most modern prepositioned stocks worksite in the world, officially named the Powidz APS-2 worksite, began receiving the 1st batch of equipment June 27 by rail. The new APS-2 worksite will outfit an entire modernized armored brigade combat team. https://t.co/Rqysk5ew5h pic.twitter.com/ZIcKQCTj6l
— 405th Army Field Support Brigade (@405thAFSB) June 28, 2024
Once fully operational, the Powidz APS-2 site will house as many as 85 battle tanks, 190 armored combat vehicles, including the M2 Bradley, and 35 artillery pieces, such as the M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer.
Additionally, the facility includes a 58,000-square-foot munitions storage area, ensuring a ready supply of ammunition. Construction of the Powidz site, a project exceeding $360 million, began in 2020 and was completed recently.
The US Army Corps of Engineers contributed to the design of this state-of-the-art facility, which spans 650,000 square feet of humidity-controlled warehouse space.
The site also includes a vehicle maintenance facility and various supporting structures, built to meet Polish construction standards.
The Powidz APS-2 worksite will play a crucial role in enhancing the US Army’s capabilities in Europe and Africa by providing space for a complete armored brigade combat team’s worth of tactical vehicles and equipment sets.
The 405th Army Field Support Battalion-Poland will manage and maintain these assets to meet ready-to-issue standards.
New APS-2 Facility in Poland Enhances NATO’s Readiness On The Eastern Flank
Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 (APS-2) are stockpiles of equipment and gear ready for rapidly mobilized units to use during international military crises. The new facility aims to address potential conflicts with Russia.
The newly arrived vehicles and equipment will serve as prepositioned stock for armored brigades deploying or training in Europe, especially in Poland. The site will also allow NATO to project greater combat power on its Eastern Flank with significantly reduced timelines compared to previous exercises or deployments.
The new facility could, one day, supply an entire armored brigade as a defense against Russian aggression along NATO’s Eastern Flank. The Army maintains prepositioned stock sites in seven regions globally, with six located in Europe.
These sites and their stockpiles can be accessed when commanders need additional combat power for contingency operations, exercises, or training, reducing deployment timelines from 60 days to as little as a week.
This 88% decrease in deployment time allows commanders to deploy troops quickly and ensure that they receive fully mission-capable equipment upon arrival in Poland.
The US Army said that the Powidz APS-2 Worksite would eliminate the need to move equipment or troops within the European theater by having the equipment ready in Poland.
As troops arrive for exercises like DEFENDER or response deployments, they can draw prepositioned equipment near their final destination. According to Lt. Col. Omar McKen, the brigade’s commander in Poland, Powidz will be able to fully equip a deploying armored brigade within 48 hours.
“This is the premier facility for prepositioned stocks,” said Col. Ernest Lane II, the 405th Army Field Support Brigade commander. “What makes this facility crucial is the collaboration between U.S., NATO, and Polish partners. This facility allows us to maintain readiness while working by, with, and through our partners.”
Lane highlighted the facility’s importance, stating, “APS-2 is about deterrence and ensuring that we can rapidly deter our forces on a moment’s notice.”
He expanded on the project’s importance, highlighting its crucial influence on NATO operations. He noted that the facility’s strategic location was highly advantageous, offering multiple avenues for approach and numerous routes for departure and embarkation.
The positioning not only exemplifies strategic foresight but also ensures that NATO forces are in the right place at the right time, ready to respond effectively to emerging threats or crises. The facility’s presence enhances NATO’s operational flexibility and readiness, making it a vital asset in maintaining regional security and stability.
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