PT-91M2 modernized version of PT-91 main battle tank MSPO 2017.

At the booth of PGZ, the Polish Armaments Group, a new modernized version of the PT-91 Twardy, the PT-91M2 is presented for the first time during MSPO 2017, the International Defense Industry Exhibition which takes place in the city of Kielce, in Poland.

New PT-91M2 main battle tank at MSPO 2017, the International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Poland.

The PT-91M2 is a modernization project to increase the firepower, mobility and protection of PT-91 main battle tank in service with the Polish army. The goal is to extend the lifetime of the tank which will be used only by the reserve forces of the Polish armed forces in the next few years.

The PT-91 MBT, which is also referred to as the Twardy (Hard), is a further development by the Zaklady Mechaniczne Bumar-Labedy SA version of the Russian-designed T-72M1 which has been produced under license in Poland for many years.

The PT-16M2 is armed with a new version of the 125mm 2A46MS offering more accuracy. The tank is fitted with a new carousel automatic loader which is mounted on the turret floor and also on the rear wall of the turret. There is a new storage compartment for additional ammunition.

The PT-16M2 is motorized with the S-12U four-stroke, multi-fuel, supercharged, water-cooled diesel developing 850 hp at 2,300 rpm coupled to an upgraded mechanical transmission. The tank is also fitted with a new torsion bars suspension.

The PT-91M2 is fitted with new armour package that includes third generation of reactive armour ERAWA mounted at the front and on each side of the hull. To increase protection against RPG threats, the rear side and back part of the hull are fitted with wire cage armour.

New standard equipment of the PT-91M2 includes laser warning system OBRA-3, passive night vision PNK-72 Radomka for the driver, omnidirectional observation system, reardriver day/night camera KDN-1, and passive commander's night vision system TKN-3z.