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PT-91 Main Battle Tank
In the beginning of 2002, the Prime Minister made an announcement that Malaysia would acquire up to 64 PT-91 'Twardy' Main Battle Tanks from Poland to form a single tank regiment. These tanks will be locally assembled by MMC Defense Sdn. Bhd., the local partner for the project.
The PT-91 (or T-72M1Z) is actually a continuation of the venerable T-72 MBT, developed in the 1960s. However, there are several significant improvements in the Twardy. It has an uprated 1000hp engine that should provide it with better acceleration and more power. The addition of ERA will protect the tank from most HEAT rounds while an on-board laser warning system will provide the tank crew with advanced warning of incoming laser-guided missiles. The laser warner will also detect laser emmisions from rangefinders.
However, the most significant feature of the PT-91 is that it uses the Sagem SAVAN 15 fire-control system, which a derivative of the FCS used on-board the French LeClerc MBT. This highly advanced system will enable the PT-91 to track and fire on moving targets, while itself is on the move too. This ensures that the PT-91 enjoys a significantly higher chance of a 'first shoot,first kill".
In terms of weaponary, the PT-91's, main weapon is a 125mm smoothbore cannon, that can be equipped to fire all types of rounds, including NATO standard rounds. These rounds include APFDDS and HEAT rounds. Secondary armanent includes a 12.7mm NSV anti-aircraft MG as well as a 7.62mm co-axial machine gun. 2 banks of 12 grenade launchers on each side of the tank can launch smoke grenades as well as anti-personel grenades.
While the armor of the PT-91 is relatively light by comparison to other MBTs such as the M1A2 and LeClerc, this will be a distinct advantage to the PT-91, since it will be operating in mostly muddy terrain that is prevalent in Malaysia. In fact, the M'sian MBT requirement expressly stated that only tanks that are light enough to function properly in local terrain will be considered. In short, the PT-91 will radically improve the mobility and firepower of the Malaysian Army.

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