In 2022, the Polish armed forces, despite the expectation of the start of deliveries of American M1A2 SEP v3 Abrams tanks, will continue to modernize the old T-72M/M1. This technique was produced in the country under a Soviet license back in the days of the Warsaw Pact.
According to the Defence24 portal, this year the ground forces will receive 15 vehicles from the batch that was planned to be transferred last year, plus another 35 units scheduled for delivery in 2022. The total number of tanks of this new modification by the end of the year will be 125 units.
According to the published data, it is planned to overhaul and modernize 230 "seventy-second", to which 88 more copies may be added in the future. It was planned to spend 1.749 billion zlotys on these works.
The modification of the T-72M1R includes the integration of new surveillance systems (including a thermal imaging gunner's sight), the installation of new communications equipment, an electronic launch system for a 780-horsepower engine, the installation of satellite navigation receivers, as well as a number of other improvements, such as placing a special basket behind the tower for the transportation of property.
Earlier, the Polish military criticized this modification for the lack of additional dynamic protection, but no changes in this plan are expected, which will necessarily affect the battlefield.
In addition, by July 2023, it is planned to complete the completion of all 142 Leopard 2A4. They will receive modular turret armor, new gunner and commander sights, including thermal imaging KLW-1 Asteria.
The gun and fire control system are modified for modern ammunition - DM63A1 armor-piercing sub-caliber shots and DM11 programmable high-explosive shells. Some internal components and assemblies have been replaced.
As for the M1A2 SEP v3 Abrams, the delivery of the first 28 copies is expected by the end of this year.
Alexey Moiseev
