PT-91 Twardy

Originating as a national initiative to significantly upgrade the capabilities of the Soviet-designed T-72M1 main battle tank, this vehicle's development commenced in the late 1980s. The impetus for a comprehensive domestic modernization program strengthened following major geopolitical shifts at the end of that decade. The project aimed to address recognized deficiencies of the baseline T-72, particularly concerning its mobility, armour protection, and the effectiveness of its fire control system and weapon stabilization, to meet contemporary battlefield requirements. Following initial design studies and development efforts beginning in July 1991, the tank officially entered service in the mid-1990s.

The vehicle represents a substantial enhancement over the T-72M1, incorporating a new dual-axis stabilized fire-control system for improved gunnery. Survivability is notably increased through the application of domestically developed reactive armour, known as ERAWA, over underlying composite armour. This specialized armour is designed to counter threats from both shaped-charge projectiles and kinetic energy penetrators, featuring closely-fitted tiles and steel anti-cumulative screens on the hull sides. While retaining the main gun caliber of its predecessor, complete with an automatic loader, it is also equipped with coaxial and anti-aircraft machine guns. Further tactical capabilities include a thermosmoke generation system and multiple grenade launchers capable of deploying smoke, anti-personnel fragmentation, or non-lethal tear gas munitions. The indigenously developed Drawa fire control system integrates a gunner's day sight, a thermal imaging night sight, the commander's independent day-night passive observation and aiming sight, a ballistic computer, and a laser rangefinder. Mobility is augmented by a more powerful diesel engine and improvements to the transmission, while the driver benefits from an integrated control and diagnostic complex and a passive night sight. The tank is operated by a three-person crew.

The Polish Land Forces are the principal operators of this main battle tank, having integrated a significant fleet composed of both newly constructed vehicles and T-72s refurbished to this modern standard since the mid-1990s. These tanks have equipped various armoured brigades, typically supplanting older T-72 models, and their operational assignments have evolved with Poland's subsequent acquisition of other main battle tank types. An export variant, designated PT-91M and featuring distinct modifications such as an alternative fire control system and powerpack, serves with the Malaysian Army. Furthermore, key systems pioneered for this tank, particularly its fire control technology, have been adopted for T-72 modernization programs in other nations, including Georgia. The tank has experienced combat, with Poland having transferred quantities to Ukraine, where they have been actively employed in the Russo-Ukrainian War, including operations in the Kursk Oblast. Additionally, armoured recovery vehicles derived from its chassis architecture have been successfully exported to India.

Malaysia • Poland • Ukraine