WARSAW (Agencies): In a significant move to bolster NATO’s defenses against potential Russian aggression, the US military has deployed the first batch of armored vehicles to a newly established storage facility in Poland. The Powidz Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 (APS-2) worksite, situated approximately 250 miles west of the Ukrainian border, received 14 M1A2 Abrams battle tanks and an M88 recovery vehicle on June 27.
The Powidz APS-2 facility, considered the most advanced prepositioned stocks site globally, is a NATO-funded project maintained by the 405th Army Field Support Brigade. By 2025, it aims to be fully mission-capable, and this recent installation brings it closer to that goal. The initiative represents NATO’s most significant single infrastructure project in the last three decades.
Once operational, the Powidz APS-2 site will house up to 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 boasts a 58,000-square-foot munitions storage area, ensuring a readily available supply of ammunition. Construction of the Powidz site, a project exceeding $360 million, began in 2020 and was recently completed.
Designed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this state-of-the-art facility spans 650,000 square feet of humidity-controlled warehouse space. It also includes a vehicle maintenance facility and supporting structures built to meet Polish construction standards.
The Powidz APS-2 worksite will significantly enhance the US Army’s capabilities in Europe and Africa, providing space for a complete armored brigade combat team’s tactical vehicles and equipment sets. The 405th Army Field Support Battalion-Poland will manage and maintain these assets to meet ready-to-issue standards.