PT-17 Main Battle Tank: East and West Meet Once Again

Yontzee · July 20, 2023, 2:57am

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PT-17 Main Battle Tank: East and West Meet Once Again

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The PT-17 prototype on display at MSPO 2017.

Description :
- The PT-17 is a new main battle tank that was developed by Poland’s OBRUM in cooperation with Ukraine’s Ukroboronprom. The tank was first unveiled at MSPO 2017 in Poland, offering a new standard of main battle tank utilizing a highly modified PT-91 chassis. The tank is based on the more recent PT-16 chassis, but features a completely new turret and gun system that make it a significant improvement over its predecessor. One of the most notable features of the PT-17 is its new KBM-2 120mm smoothbore gun. This gun comparable to the gun on the PT-16, and is capable of firing a wider variety of NATO-standard ammunition types, including DM63 armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds, and DM11 high-explosive airburst (HE-AB) rounds, both of which Poland has procured. It is also likely the gun can fire the Ukrainian GL-ATGM, the Konus. The gun also has a range of advanced fire control systems that make it more accurate and effective on the battlefield. On top of the main gun, the vehicle is equipped with a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and roof mounted 12.7mm ZSMU A4 RCWS. The PT-17’s turret has also been completely redesigned, with integrated Ukrainian ERA (unknown if NIZH-1M or Duplet-2M) and a new fire control system that improves the tank’s situational awareness and targeting capabilities. Also equipped is composite armor covering weak-points on the hull. The tank is also equipped with a new engine, the 1,000hp S-1000R diesel engine coupled to a German-made automatic transmission, likely the ESM 350 used on the PT-91M Pendekar, and suspension system that provide improved mobility and maneuverability. In addition to its advanced systems, the PT-17 also features a number of other upgrades that make it more effective on the battlefield. The tank is equipped with a new thermal imaging system by PCO, the GOC-1 and GOD-1, that provides improved visibility in low-light conditions, as well as an advanced ammunition loading system that is housed in the rear turret bustle, allowing for faster and efficient reloading of the tank’s main gun, with a rate of 12rds/min. Not to mention, this autoloader offers increased crew survivability by housing the ammunition away from the crew compartment. The PT-17 has a crew of three, including a driver, a gunner, and a commander. The tank is designed to provide direct fire support to infantry units, and is highly versatile and mobile, making it effective in a variety of combat situations. Overall, the PT-17 represents a significant improvement over the PT-16, with advanced systems and increased capabilities that make it a formidable weapon on the battlefield. The PT-17 is an evolution of the PT-16, offering significant enhancements while focusing on its key role of being a cost-effective upgrade for Poland’s T-72M1’s and PT-91 Twardy’s. While it was developed primarily for use by the Polish and Ukrainian militaries, the PT-17 could potentially be sold to other countries in the future, further strengthening its role as an important asset in the defense industry.
Specifications:
- Role: Main Battle Tank
- Origin/Manufacturer:
  - Ukraine - KMDB/Poland - OBRUM
    - Several other companies.
- Armament:
  - Primary: 120mm KBM-2 Smoothbore Gun
    - Ammunition:
      - DM63 APFSDS-T
      - DM11 HE-AB
        
        ‘Konus’ GL-ATGM
        
        Caliber: 120mm
        
        Warhead: Tandem-HEAT
        
        Penetration: 700mm of RHA behind ERA
        
        Range: 5km
        
        Guidance: Laser Beam
        
        Weight: 28kg
    - Feed System:
      - Turret-mounted Bustle 22rd Autoloader
      - RoF: 12rds/min
  - Coaxial: 7.62mm Machine Gun
  - Roof-mounted: 12.7mm ZSMU A4 Remote Control Weapon Station (RCWS)
- Dimensions:
  - Length: ~7.7m
  - Width: ~3.7m
  - Height: ~2.2m
  - Weight: 45-50t
- Mobility:
  - Engine: 1,000hp S-1000R Diesel Engine
  - Max Speed: 65km/h
  - Transmission: ESM 350 Automatic
    - Possible due to it being a German made transmission, not confirmed.
  - Suspension: Torsion Bar
- Crew:
  - Commander
  - Gunner
  - Driver
- Features:
  - Laser Rangefinder
  - 12x 81mm Smoke Grenade Launchers
  - ESS
  - Entrenching Blade
  - Obra-3 Laser Warning System
  - Armor:
    - Heavy Composite/Applique Armor
      - Integrated Ukrainian ERA (unknown if NIZH-1M or Duplet-2M).
    - Rear turret cage armor.
  - Optics:
    - Gunner: GOC-1 (3rd-generation Thermal Imager)
    - Commander: GOD-1 (3rd-generation Thermal Imager)
    - Driver: Day/Night Camera System
- In-game :
  - With its capabilities, the PT-17 would sit well at Battle Rating 11.0 to 11.7.
  - A hybrid tank using a Western Gun and an Eastern platform, the PT-17 would be a highly unique addition to War Thunder. Featuring high speeds, next-level dynamic protection from Ukraine, and the capability to fire all NATO-standard 120mm rounds including the DM63 APFSDS-T which would be is meta round, the PT-17 would perform very similarly to the T-80BVM. The PT-17 would fair well at either flanking targets, capturing points, or heading straight into a slug fest due to its powerful armament, speed, ERA armor protection. Not to mention, the GOC-1/GOD-1 offer the latest in thermal technology, giving the PT-17 full capabilities to operate at night. It also has an autoloader mounted in the rear of the turret significantly increasing survivability and eliminating a weak point found on T-series derivatives. One note is that the PT-17 suffers from a major weak point at the gun mantlet, forcing operators to have a protective game-style. The PT-17 should be added as a premium, squadron, or event vehicle for any Ukrainian or Polish Ground Forces Tree, or Sub-tree research vehicle due to it being a one-of-a-kind vehicle.
    - Turret weak point.
- Source(s):