Lieutenant General of the Polish Armed Forces Bohuslav Samol compared NATO and Russian tanks
The Defence24 edition interviewed the Polish Lieutenant General Bohuslav Samol. The reason for the conversation was Poland's plans to purchase a large batch of Abrams tanks.
The general said that now the armored troops of his country have a significant number of T-72 and more than 230 PT-91 Twardy
"These are two types of tanks of the old generation, and they are significantly inferior in tactical and technical terms to the currently modernized Russian tanks. As a result, the Ministry of Defense is forced or will be forced to look for a way to replace these tanks within five to ten years, " he admitted.
Boguslav Samol spoke in some detail about the difference between Western tanks and Soviet and Russian ones.
"Tanks developed in the West, in NATO countries, such as the Leopard 2, have a completely different design philosophy, which leads to a different way of using the tank in combat. Within the framework of the German philosophy of using the tank and the associated method of its construction and design, which developed during the Cold War and is an expression of the then NATO strategy, the need for defensive operations using tanks against the Warsaw Pact armies was assumed. At the same time, the German designers foresaw the need to use tanks in offensive operations as part of counterattacks.
This philosophy of using tanks was further developed by the German side. The American side is moving in the same direction. Both countries have a long history of cooperation in the development of tanks in the 1970s, when both the Leopard 2 and Abrams were created, " he explained.
As for Russia, tanks are built here mainly for offensive operations using a large number of vehicles in certain directions. "Recently it became known about the creation of battalion combat groups built on the basis of tank battalions, with powerful support of artillery, sapper units and anti-aircraft cover. However, it should be remembered that the battalions will operate in tactical and operational zones independently, but in a coordinated manner. Thus, by creating a certain quantitative advantage, the attacker can ensure success in battle, " the general said.
He also explained why the armored troops of his country need modernization: "The T-72M1 and PT-91 Twardy tanks used by the Polish army, leaving the firing position, are able to move back at a speed of 3-4 km/h and only 200-300 meters. Then they have to turn around and expose their weak points to enemy fire. On the other hand, if they remain in position in the trench, then after contact with the enemy, they will be subject to destruction by an overwhelming number of enemy tanks, his artillery and even flanking by attacking enemy tanks."
Oleg Koryakin
