Polish PT‑91 Twardy tanks in Ukraine outshine Soviet T‑72s
Ukrainians from the 117th Independent Mechanized Brigade proudly showcased photographs of the PT-91 Twardy tank delivered to the front by Poland. Let's revisit the capabilities of this machine, which, according to the Ukrainians themselves, has at least one element superior to its Soviet counterpart.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces frequently praise the Polish PT-91 Twardy tanks, and for good reason. Out of the several dozen machines provided by Warsaw, only one Twardy has been documented destroyed. Due to their effectiveness, the machines from Poland have long been targeted by the Russians, as evidenced by the 2023 guide presented by the Russian Federation, which shows the weakest points of the Twardy.
Moreover, in combat operations, the PT-91 Twardy has proven to be a better design than its predecessor, the Soviet T-72. In April this year, Ukrainian tankers noted that the PT-91 has much better protection and visual systems than their Russian counterparts. They highlighted the ERAWA reactive armour, which they believe is superior to the Soviet Kontakt-1 system.
The Polish PT-91 Twardy tank serving in Ukraine
An esteemed feature of the Polish Twardy is the Obra warning system, which works with the Drawa fire control system. Thanks to the presence of a thermal imaging camera, this setup significantly enhances the overall utility of the PT-91, especially in difficult conditions such as nighttime operations when visibility is limited.
It's worth noting that the Polish PT-91 differs from its predecessor in terms of the power unit. The Poles installed a Wola S-12U engine instead of the Russian V-46. It generates about 850 HP and allows the tank to reach approximately 75 km/h (47 mph) speeds.
The 2A46 Rapira-3 125 mm gun, essentially the same as the one in the T-72, ensures the Twardy's defensive capabilities. However, it is controlled by the Drawa fire control system, which is different from the one in the Russian tank. Additionally, the Poles improved the "vision" of the PT-91 Twardy crew using observation devices POD-72, PNK-72 Radomka, and the PCN-A night vision device. The Twardy also features a new R-173 radio station.
