It is the first training programme of within that scope, which is organized with the new structure of the brigade. The main tasks of the soldiers who are involved in the training include integration of the tank crews within the scope of tactical and firing training and joint operations with other armed services. The main aim is still to conduct advanced training that would make it possible for the soldiers to transition from the 2A4 to the 2A5 variant of the Leopard tank, as the Ministry of Defence has informed. 34Th Brigade acts under the jurisdiction of the 11th Lubuska Armoured Cavalry Division, which also includes the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade based in Świętoszów. The latter one is still equipped with the Leopard 2A4 tanks.
German Leopard tanks, along with complementary equipment, have been exported to Poland on the basis of an agreement, which has been signed by the Ministers of Defence of Poland and Germany back in November 2013. The Żagań-based unit will ultimately receive 119 tanks, including 105 examples in the 2A5 variant and 14 older 2A4’s version. The first deliveries took place in May last year. The equipment is to be fully delivered within 2015.
According to the Ministry of Defence, besides the tanks, 34th Brigade will also receive 200 examples of support equipment, including technical support vehicles and trucks. What is more, specialized technical equipment for the tanks are also going to be procured, along with AGDUS laser shooting simulators.
34th Armoured Cavalry Brigade is a military unit which is, logistically, prepared to receive the new tanks and additional equipment. The unit has modern garage and servicing infrastructures at its disposal, along with one of the largest Polish field training facilities – Żagań-Świętoszów Land Forces Field Training Centre. This facility makes it possible to train armoured units and elements – as the Polish MoD informs.