PT‑91 Twardy tanks reinforce Ukrainian lines in Kursk
Ukrainians continue operations in Russia’s Kursk region, rotating additional battalions. Some are equipped with PT-91 Twardy tanks, the designers of which never dreamed they would participate in a new Battle of Kursk. Here is what Polish machines can do.
Ukrainians are trying both to strengthen their presence in the Kursk region in case of a Russian counterattack and to push forward. One of the more interesting pieces of equipment, besides German Marders, are Polish PT-91 Twardy tanks.
PT-91 Twardy tanks — the pinnacle of T-72M1 evolution in Polish engineering
The PT-91 Twardy tank was developed in the 1990s as part of a modernization program for the T-72M1 tank, aiming to surpass Russian modernizations of the T-72B. It is worth noting that these featured better basic armour compared to export versions.
The main focus of the Polish modernization was the development of reactive armour that would cover the basic tank armour as tightly as possible, combining very high effectiveness with low weight. The result was the ERAWA armour, described by Wirtualna Polska journalist Łukasz Michalik, which evolved into ERAWA-2.
It provides 95% protection against the most common single-charge cumulative warheads used extensively on, for example, FPV drones. Interestingly, unlike the Soviet-era Kontakt-1, the Polish shield also offers partial protection against double-charge cumulative warheads or kinetic penetrators. Additionally, the Polish blocks are very small (6 inches), allowing for very tight coverage of the tank, and are lighter than competing solutions.
Other changes in the PT-91 Twardy tank included the implementation of a more powerful S-12U engine with 850 HP, a better DRAWA fire control system with a thermal sight, along with the Obra self-defence system that warns the crew of laser beam targeting. This system also automatically activates smoke grenades, making it harder for, for example, Kornet operators to hit the tank.
The only component remaining mostly unchanged was the 125 mm calibre cannon, along with a very dangerous autoloader for the crew. However, the reinforced armour enabled the PT-91 Twardy tanks to withstand several anti-tank guided missile hits, allowing the crew to evacuate safely.
