According to a video published on social networks, T-72M1 and T-72M1R Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) donated by Poland, have already arrived in Ukraine and are now deployed to conduct combat operations.
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Poland has donated modernized version of 72M1 main battle tanks called T-72M1R, fitted with a new fire control system and thermal imaging sight for the gunner. (Picture source Social Network)
On April 29, 2022, Army Recognition reported that Poland will provide more than 200 T-72 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) to Ukraine. Citing Polish source, Poland has sent at least 240 T-72 tanks to Ukraine including T-72M1s and a modernized version of the T-72, the T-72M1R.
According to the Military Balance, the Polish army has a total of 808 MBTs including 329 T-72A et T-72M1 tanks. The supply of the Polish T-72 tanks to Ukraine will not affect the operational capabilities of the Polish army, because the Polish Government has officially signed a contract with the United States to acquire 250 American-made M1A2 Abrams SEP V3 tanks with the aim of replacing the old Soviet-made tanks.
The T-72A is the second generation of Soviet-made main battle tank MBT in the T-72 family. The first version of the T-72 entered production in 1970. The main armament of the T-72A consists of one 125 mm 2A46 gun. The second armament of the T-72A includes one 7.62 mm caliber PKT machine gun mounted coaxially to the right of the main armament and has 250 rounds of ready use ammunition and a new design of 12.7 mm caliber NSV machine gun mounted on the commander's cupola.
The T-72M is the export version of the T-72A and has a different armor protection level, carries a different amount of ammunition, and has a different type of NBC system. There are four evenly spaced ribs on the upper glacis plate. The T-72M1 is a modernized T-72M and has an additional layer of 16 mm armor plate on the glacis plate and combination armor in the turret with pelletized filler agent. There are two ribs on the upper glacis plate.
The T-72M1R is a Polish modernization of the T-72M1 featuring a new fire control system, thermal imaging sight for the gunner, and communication system as well as GPS DAGR (Defense Advanced GPS Receiver), and several other enhancements. The rear part of the turret is also fitted with a new basket. It keeps the same armament as the T-72M1.
Polish army T-72M1R main battle tank at MSPO defense exhibition in Poland. (Picture source Army Recognition)
