PT-17 main battle tank modernized PT-91 PGZ Poland MSPO 2017.

At MSPO 2017, the International Defence Industry Exhibition in Poland, the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) presents a new upgrade of the Polish-made PT-91 main battle tank (MBT) under the name of PT-17. This project was launched by PGZ to modify the previous version of the main battle tanks to NATO standard.

New PT-17 main battle tank at MSPO 2017, International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Poland.

The PT-17 MBT is an evolution of the project of the PT-16 which was unveiled at the edition 2016 of MSPO. The tank has been modernized to offer more mobility, firepower, and protection.

The PT-17 is armed with the Ukrainian-made 120mm smoothbore KMB2 cannon manufactured by Ukrainian firm Kharkov Morozov Design Bureau which offers the possibility to fire all the NATO ammunitions. The turret is fitted with an automatic loading system located at the rear of the turret with a total of 22 rounds.

Second armament of the PT-17 MBT includes a Polish-made Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) ZSMU which can be armed with a 7.62/12.7mm machine or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. The RCWS is equipped with a daylight video camera, a thermal imager for night operations and a laser rangefinder. It can be used against light armored ground targets and low-flying aircraft during the day and night conditions.

The PT-17 turret has a new design and is protected with Ukrainian-made explosive reactive armour. The front and each sides of the hull are protected with modular composite armour panels. To increase protection against RPG (Rocket-Propelled Grenade) threats, the rear and the sides of the turret are equipped with slat armour. The upper part of the suspension is also protected with armour plates while the upper part is covered with rubber plates.

The PT-17 is motorized with a new 1,000 hp power pack and a new German-made transmission which offers more mobility and speed for the tank.

Standard equipment of the new PT-17 includes OBRA-3 laser warning system designed to detect radiation from impulse rangefinders or laser illuminators. The system is coupled to smoke grenade launchers.