Polish T‑72 tanks: Ukraine's night-time edge in Kharkiv combat
A recording has emerged online of the 3rd Independent Assault Brigade engaged in combat somewhere in the Kharkiv region. The tank they are employing is a T-72M1R provided by Poland. Here's what this cost-effective upgrade of the T-72M1 can achieve.
The footage below, which likely displays battles from the summer, shows the crew of the former Polish T-72M1R tank firing at Russian forces. The KLW-1 Asteria third-generation thermal imaging camera from PCO, among other indicators, evidences the tank's Polish origin.
T-72M1R tanks - a cost-effective upgrade that makes a significant contribution
Poland has transferred approximately 200-300 T-72M1R tanks and at least 60-90 PT-91 Twardy tanks to Ukraine. The T-72M1R tanks have undergone a budget-friendly upgrade, mainly involving the installation of the KLW-1 Asteria third-generation thermal imaging camera for the gunner and adjusting communication systems.
Other tank elements, such as the main armour, which lacks reactive armour, and the old 125 mm cannon, have remained unchanged. However, the Ukrainians quickly addressed these aspects, generously equipped the tanks with Kontakt-1 reactive armour blocks, and accessed superior anti-tank ammunition for the gun. The exception was only the captured Russian next-generation shells designed exclusively for use in T-72B3/M, T-90, and T-80BWM tanks.
Moreover, the former Polish tanks were often reinforced with bar armour, collapsible anti-drone nets, or jammers. As a result, a machine was created that outperformed Soviet-era equipment such as the T-72B or T-80BW tanks. Despite having better armour than the Polish variant, these can arguably be considered ineffective during night operations or under poor weather conditions.
The gunner of the Polish T-72M1R tank benefits significantly from the thermal imaging camera, enabling them to detect enemy tanks first and fire sooner. This advantage is often decisive, as any penetration of armour on Soviet-era tanks can result in a catastrophic explosion due to the design of the ammunition storage and the automatic loader.
It's also noteworthy that, in recent months, the Russians have had increasingly fewer new machines like the T-90M. As a result, relics such as the T-62 and T-54/55 are seen more frequently at the front, and they present easy targets for the Polish T-72M1R tanks.
