Poland’s Mesko Secures Major Deal to Supply 120mm Tank Ammunition for Leopard 2 Fleet

Polish defence manufacturer Mesko, a key part of the state-run armaments group PGZ, has landed a significant contract to supply advanced 120mm tank ammunition to the Polish Armed Forces. The agreement, signed on May 30 with Poland’s defence procurement agency, covers the production and delivery of thousands of APFSDS-T rounds – short for Armour-Piercing, Fin-Stabilised, Discarding Sabot – Tracer. These rounds are designed to equip the Leopard 2 main battle tanks currently serving as the backbone of Poland’s armoured forces.

While the exact number of rounds has not been publicly disclosed, the contract is estimated to be worth around 150 million Polish złoty (approximately €35.2 million), with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2027. The APFSDS-T ammunition is built specifically for anti-armour engagements and is capable of striking targets at effective ranges of up to 2,500 metres. Mesko highlighted that these rounds will enhance the Polish Army’s ability to counter heavily armoured threats over several kilometres.

The ammunition is fully compatible with the Leopard 2 tanks used by Poland, which are among the most modern Western tanks in Eastern Europe. There is also potential for this type of ammunition to be certified for use with the American-made M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks that Poland has started to induct, although no official announcement on such certification has been made.

This deal not only boosts Poland’s self-sufficiency in defence production but also strengthens the position of Mesko as a critical supplier to the Polish military. The company is already well-known for its Piorun man-portable anti-aircraft missile system, which has gained attention globally for its performance in recent conflicts.

The contract forms part of Poland’s broader push to modernize and expand its armed forces in response to growing regional security concerns. By investing in domestically-produced ammunition, the country is ensuring a reliable supply of critical munitions for its front-line tank units while also supporting its national defence industry.