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PT-91M Pendekar - Malaysia’s Agile Twardy
Hi and welcome to my 78th suggestion, which is about the PT-91M Pendekar, hope you like it. 
First of all:
- Feel free to share more Information and / or correct me if something is wrong
- Discuss respectfully, any aggressive kind or verbal abuse will be reported, the Forum rules also apply here
Basic Background
On 11 April 2003, a contract was signed between the Malaysian government and the Polish company BUMAR for the delivery of 48 PT-91M tanks, along with 6 WZT-4 support, 5 PMC-Leguan bridging and 3 MID-M engineering vehicles. This contract marked the beginning of an active collaboration between the Malaysian defense industry and the Malaysian Armed Forces.
The first PT-91M was constructed in winter 2005 and underwent rigorous testing at Polish proving grounds. Representatives of the Malaysian army oversaw the tests to ensure the contract’s fulfillment. Following some minor modifications based on test results, the tank was shipped to Malaysia in August 2005.
The PT-91M made its public debut on 31 August 2005 during Malaysia’s Independence Day parade in Kuala Lumpur. Leading the Malaysian Armour Corps’ column, it was presented in the colors of the 11th Regiment, 4th Mechanized Brigade. The tank attracted significant attention in the Southeast Asian region, with media outlets extensively covering the new acquisition.
After the parade, the same tank underwent further testing in Malaysia from September to December 2005, facing extreme terrain and climate conditions. These tests confirmed the tank’s high technical quality, leading to necessary modifications in the first production series. Simultaneously, training courses for Malaysian crews and technicians were conducted in Poland to prepare them for the tanks’ operational use.
The PT-91M Pendekar Overall
The final version of the PT-91M, designed for Malaysia, differs from the tanks used by the Polish Army in several aspects. It is powered by a new power pack developed by PZL Wola in collaboration with the German company Renk, consisting of the S1000R engine with 1000 hp and the SESM Renk ESM350M transmission system, allowing the Pendekar to reach a max speed of 60km/h, with a max range of 480km. The tank features a Slovak-made 2A46MS cannon from Konstrukta Defence, paired with an electronic stabilization system from EADS, and new mechanisms for cannon elevation and turret rotation. Additionally, both the front and turret armor configurations were upgraded.
The PT-91M is equipped with advanced systems, including the Sagem Savan 12 fire control system. Its defensive capabilities were enhanced by the OBRA-3 laser-warning-system, as well as two sets of 81mm smoke grenade launchers from ZM DEZAMET and ERAWA-2 explosive reactive armour blocks. The armament includes a 7.62mm machine gun from FN Herstal and a 12.7mm M2HB-QCB heavy machine gun mounted on the turret.
The ammunition of the 125mm 2A46MS is of Bosnian production and is M04 APFSDS-T, capable of penetrating a RHA of 540mm at an angle of 0° degrees at a distance of 2000m, as well as the M88P1 HEAT shell.
Several structural modifications were made to the PT-91M, notably in the driver’s section, where a steering wheel replaced the traditional drag-link controls, a first for tanks in the T-72 family. The tank is also equipped with air conditioning, modern NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection, pollution detection systems, a battlefield control system, and integrated LNS navigation and GPS systems. Under the October 2003 contract, the Malaysian company MMC Defence produced rubber track components under license from Germany’s Diehl Remscheid.
Thanks for your time, hope you liked it 
[Will add more if there are some (more) important / declassified things]
[PM or comment if a Link or Picture isn´t working]
Sources:
Links
Laman Naim Qlate: Mengenali MBT PT-91 Malaysia
DEFENSE STUDIES: Malaysia Rancang Life Extension Program (LEP) Terhadap Kereta Kebal “Pendekar” PT-91M
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Army Guide
PT-91 Twardy MBT (1993)
List of Suggestions of ASEAN region