Powidz APS-2 Worksite Begins to Receive Armored Vehicles and Equipment

The new APS-2 worksite in Powidz, Poland, officially named the Powidz APS-2 Worksite, received equipment to outfit an armored brigade combat team on June 27, 2024. The receipt of this equipment moves the facility one step closer to completion. This NATO-funded project continues to progress towards full mission-capable status in 2025, making it NATO's most significant single infrastructure endeavor in the past 30 years. The newly arrived vehicles and equipment will serve as prepositioned stock for armored brigades deploying or training in the European region, specifically Poland. The site will allow NATO to project more combat power on NATO's Eastern Flank with a drastically reduced timeline compared to previous exercises or deployments.

"This is the premiere facility when it comes to prepositioned stocks," said Col. Ernest Lane II, the 405 Army Field Support Brigade commander. "What makes this facility so important is the relationship between U.S., NATO, and Polish partners. This facility allows us to maintain readiness while working by, with, and through our partners."

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed the state-of-the-art APS-2 site, which encompasses 650,000 square feet of humidity-controlled warehouse space, a vehicle maintenance facility, and various supporting structures, with an investment exceeding $360 million. The facility was built to meet the construction standards in Poland and will now be home to a vital capability, a prepositioned stock of an armored brigade combat team. This includes approximately 85 battle tanks, 190 armored combat vehicles, 35 artillery pieces, and four armored vehicle-launched bridges. Additionally, that equipment is accompanied by munitions stored in the 58,000-square-foot munitions area.

The construction of the Powidz APS-2 Worksite represents the U.S. and NATO's commitment to maintaining rapid deployment capabilities while deterring potential adversaries through enduring agreements and strategic investments.

The Powidz APS-2 Worksite will play a crucial role in deterrence by alleviating deployment requirements for units from the U.S. The prepositioned storage will reduce deployment timelines of an armored brigade from 60 days to 7 days. The 88% decrease in deployment timeline allows commanders to deploy troops rapidly and arrive in Poland to receive fully mission-capable equipment. The Powidz APS-2 Worksite also removes the need to move equipment or troops in the European theater by having the equipment ready for them in Poland. As troops arrive in Poland for exercises like DEFENDER or response deployments, they can draw prepositioned equipment at a location near their final destination.

Lane emphasized the importance of the facility by saying, "APS-2 is about deterrence and ensuring that that we can rapidly deter our forces on a moment's notice." He explained the necessity of the project adding, "This facility has a huge impact on NATO. The strategic location allows us to have multiple avenues of approach and routes of departure and embarkation. It is an example of strategic positioning in the right place, at the right time."

The price tag associated with the facility demonstrates the resolve of U.S. and NATO collaborations to preposition and maintain equipment vital to the future. Collective security and partnerships will rely heavily on the ability to mobilize combat power in this region, specifically, providing a deterrent near critical locations like the Suwalki Gap.

Lt. Col. Omar McKen, the battalion commander of the Army Field Support Battalion-Poland, described the Powidz APS-2 Worksite by saying, "it's a forward projection platform to be utilized in Europe. It allows an armored brigade to deploy to Europe and receive necessary equipment within 48 hours."

The construction of the Powidz APS-2 Worksite represents a significant leap forward in enhancing NATO's operational readiness and strategic capabilities on its Eastern Flank. The Powidz APS-2 Worksite bolsters defense capabilities and strengthens deterrence efforts while also demonstrating the U.S. continued commitment to its European allies and partners. The facility will also play a crucial role in sustaining large-scale exercises such as DEFENDER, which help maintain high levels of readiness within various militaries across Europe. Ultimately, the Powidz APS-2 Work Site solidifies the partnerships between the U.S. and NATO, highlighting the commitment to collective defense and ensuring security across Europe.

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