Based on the chassis of the PT-91M MBT

At MSPO 2017, ZM Bumar Labedy presented, aside from the PT-91M2 (a modernisation solution for the T-72 MBT), a technology demonstrator known as the PT-17. It is a joint project between Poland’s ZM Bumar Labedy and Ukrainian Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building. The Ukrainian company supplied the Poles with a turret with a main gun, reactive armour (ERA) and an automatic loader. Other components, such as the 6TD-2 engines (1,200hp) or Auxillary Power Unit (APU), might also be delivered by the Ukrainians.

A demonstrator presented at MSPO 2017 was based on the chassis of the PT-91M MBT. It is equipped with the PZL-Wola S-1000R diesel engine (1,000 hp). The above-mentioned turret is the one used in the technology demonstrator known as the T-72-120 from the late 1990s. It is equipped with the KBM2 120 mm smoothbore gun (based on 2A46M gun), and can fire between 5 and 9 times per minute. This tank can be equipped with various armours, both passive and reactive – it all depends on the needs of the customer. The Ukrainian company Mikrotek can also deliver the ZASLON active armour. At this stage, it is planned that the PT-17 would be equipped with the Safran-15 fire control system with a day/night target sight for a gunner and the VIGY-15 panoramic day/night observation sight for a commander. A demonstrator presented in Kielce is equipped with two day/night opto-electronic sensors provided by the Polish company PCO: GOC-1 NIKE and GOD-1 IRYS. Final configuration depends on the customer’s demands.

Last year, during MSPO 2016, the company presented the PT-16 (Polish Tank 2016) modernization package for the T-72/PT-91s.

Although initially it was announced by the Polish Ministry of National Defence that neither T-72M1 and PT-91 MBTs will be modernized, Poland later changed its plans – now it is planned that at least some of them will be upgraded in order to maintain an armoured fleet before a new-generation platform is introduced in the future.

Robert Czulda