As is known, Poland is one of the most militarily powerful countries in Eastern Europe. In fact, it is almost the only NATO member country in the region, which has at least some military potential. Since it is not necessary to rely militarily on the Baltic republics or small countries such as the Czech Republic or Slovakia, Poland is considered by the US and NATO as the most important military partner in the east.
There is every reason for this: So, the total strength of Poland's armed forces is 144 thousand, while the size of the armed forces of Romania - 64 thousand. human, Bulgaria - 25 thousand. human, Czech Republic - 26 thousand. human, Slovakia - 18,5 thousand. human. I.e, Poland alone can field more soldiers, than Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Slovakia, taken together.
Poland is also one of the European leaders in terms of the number of tanks., ground forces in service. And this is a very important point., according to Polish military experts. Speaking of conventional warfare, then NATO is very afraid of a decisive and quick throw of Russian tanks on Europe. The armies of the Baltic republics and small units of NATO troops stationed there, replenished through the rotation of the military from different countries, they will simply not be able to stop the advance of the tank columns of the Russian army, therefore all hopes are for Poland.
The tank forces of the ground forces of Poland are largely based on the legacy of the socialist period, when the country was part of the Warsaw Pact.
The most numerous tank, in service with the Polish army, is a Soviet-made T-72M1. The ground forces of Poland have 350 such machines, yet 200 are in storage. As The National Interest contributor Charlie Gao writes:, these tanks provide a basic level of combat capability, but they are hopelessly outdated compared to any tanks, which Russia can put up against Poland. Armor T-72M1, According to experts, can be penetrated by almost any modern anti-tank ammunition, with the exception of, except that, light RPG.
PT-91 Twardy is the next largest tank in the Polish army. In service with the ground forces is 233 tanka. This is a Polish made tank., which is actually a modification of the T-72, only significantly modernized. In particular, it is equipped with a DEUGRA fire extinguishing system, ERAWA-1 armor packages and 2 ERA. Thanks to armor packs, Polish tank has more survivability, than the classic T-72. It will not be able to hit Russian-made light and medium ATGMs and most Russian RPGs, but for modern Russian tanks, the RT-91 is an easy target.
Finally, Poland has a significant fleet of Leopard tanks 2: 142 Leopard 2A4 i 105 Leopard 2A5, which were purchased from Germany. Now in service with the Polish ground forces - 142 "Leopard". The Polish military department is currently engaged in the modernization of the German Leopards, which are in service with the ground forces. In particular, it is planned to install Polish thermal imagers, domestic electrician. Expected, that modernization measures will keep the Leopards in service for another thirty years.
According to Charlie Gao, comparing the tank power of Poland and Russia, "Leopards" are the only tanks of the Polish army, which, with a stretch, can try to resist modern Russian tanks. As for the RT-91, then they can be used on the second line. I.e, the Polish army can only rely on the German "Leopards".
However, the question arises about the quantitative balance of forces of the parties. It is no coincidence that Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister of Poland, focuses on the need to increase the number of tanks, at the disposal of the armed forces of the member countries of the North Atlantic Alliance.
Author:Ilya Polonsky
