Poland to equip its Iron Division with Abrams tanks, Apache helicopters

Poland intends to equip the 18th mechanized division stationed in the east of the country with Abrams tanks and Apache helicopters to defend itself from a possible attack from the Brest (Belarus) direction, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said at a briefing, Report informs via TASS.

As the minister noted, the 18th mechanized division, called the "Iron Division" in Poland, has existed for four years.

"The task of this division is to ensure security in the east of our country. It is organized according to the American principle. It will soon be armed with [tanks] Abrams and [helicopters] Apache," he said.

According to Blaszczak, this division "creates an insurmountable barrier."

"This will be a barrier that will close the Brest Gates," he added. "The Brest Gate is a plain stretching from places somewhere far in the east to the Vistula itself," the minister explained.

Earlier, the Polish Ministry of Defense announced the purchase of 250 Abrams tanks and 96 Apache attack helicopters.