"Poland sent equipment for 2 armoured brigades to Ukraine" Topic

The Polish state radio confirmed that Poland had delivered at least two brigades ("more than 230" T-72 tanks) and "several dozen BMP1s (IFVs)" to Ukraine. Along with mobile artillery, supporting vehicles, ammo, spare parts and workshops.

Delivery started several weeks ago and is finished. There are some photos of them in battle few weeks ago.

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Those tanks were modernized from 2019 (upgraded optics, night vision, thermovision, radios and several other classified things).

Rumours: from December 2021 (when the war was imminent) they were supposedly rapidly equipped according to Ukrainian requirements. Quite a foresight, I would say.

Czechia and Poland is producing and delivering relatively modern ammo for T-72.

Many countries are repairing Ukrainian tanks.

Ukraine from 2014 had trained thousand of tank reservists, so lack of trained manpower should not be issue (logistics is).

Before the war Poland had nearly 380 T-72 + nearly 200 in reserve (in bad shape, albeit surely cannibalizable).

Today it has at least one batallion (in Latvia).

It would be logic that all the rest is in Ukraine. Along with workshops, accesory equipment, cannibalizable ones and supporting vehicles.

When Poland few months ago decided to buy the Abrams, the most popular objection was that it would be the 4th platform after T-72, PT-91, Leopard 2 (which would be logistical nightmare). Wise men said: "Do not worry, in no time we will have 3 platforms only: Abrams, Leo-2 and PT-91."

Oh, and Poland will welcome British Challenger brigade as a temporary solution till Abrams will be delivered to Poland. Hope You enjoy your stay here, guys.

No wonder Putin is squealing again. With Winter over this year stopping the natural gas to Poland just doesn't sting as much.

Well, the more weapons are sent by the US/NATO, etc., to Ukraine the better their ability to attrite Putin's forces. Weaken the Russians so they won't be able to do this again.

The US is sending 90 M1777 155mm towed howitzers. The Dutch are sending P2000 155mm SPGs and the French are or are considering sending some wheeled 155mm SPGs too.
Now someone needs to start sending them aircraft, and attack helicopters. Maybe just a few A-10s for the nostalgia factor.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek

Wow, impressive!

I like it, but no doubt Vladimir will NOT.

Upping the ante on the path to WWIII?

Time will tell, I suppose.

Even so, glad they and the USA and others are doing this.

Seems to me we should loan/lend lease the Ukrainians some nukes too, so they have a credible threat vs. Lavrov's and Putin's constant, insane bleatings about the use of nuclear weapons.

MAD works even against madmen like Putin, Stalin, Kruschev, NK, and others.

A few B-52s, and/or B-58s would be very useful too I suppose, especially if the latter can be reconditioned from their desert boneyard, assuming some are still there.

Of course, ground-launched cruise missiles might be more practical and easier to conceal, not to mention service.

Seems to me we should loan/lend lease the Ukrainians some nukes too

I hope that's not floating around the White House or Pentagon. Sounds like the most reckless thing anyone can do.

Reckless- does not cut it. Putin is a mad man you can't reason your way with such as him. He will nuke, if not over Ukraine it will be later when he wants Europe, better sooner than later. It not now if its when, appeasement would never have worked. The only question do we wait for his first strike?

Putin is crazy. Just look at his face. He WILL draw ON YOU.
Question is… how much can we back Ukraine before he pulls… or someone pops him?

Interesting little article said that USA has 3500 Abrams of various marks in storage. Regret, I cannot link or post Pic of tank park! LOT of METAL there!
Cannot vouch for veracity… may include other, older MBTs.

Think Ukraine would prefer Russian built kit… by time crews familiar with tech… dead.

Yes, after the Cold War was over, many US vehicles were mothballed, sold to other nations, etc. I heard the number was 2000 M1s, + the 200 former USMC M1s. As the comandante thinks they don't need armor support(?). Plus other USMC, vehicles, etc. were mothballed.

Regardless, the downsizing of the US Military at the end of the Cold War with Divs, Bdes, etc. being deactivated, etc. Resulted in M1s and other vehicles, etc. put away for a rainy day.

Many of the former WP now NATO nations and other nations using Russian AFVs, etc. are sending their Russian equipment to the Ukraine. As we know those will be easy to transition into their forces. Where other AFVs, etc. would take additional time to train, etc. So the crews, maint tms etc. can use them.

E.g. the Germans are taking out of storage and sending 50 of their old Leopard 1s and some of their old Gepard Flakpanzers. Those may take a little more time to actually get into combat. The US is sending 100 or so old M113 APCs. Those are fairly easy to be trained to us and maint.

I commanded a Mech Co. of 14 M113s '87-'89. I have a very good working knowledge of those. Lightly armored and armed they may be better use as follow on forces, etc.
But they are better than walking/running.

The US/NATO, etc. need to send all the support they can. As the Free World must attrite Putin's forces so he can't do this type of thing again, anywhere. Without sending NATO, etc., troops into the Ukraine. Seems the Ukraine is besting the poorly trained, etc. Russian forces anyway …

The parameters are don't start WWIII or a use of WMDs …

I'd like to see the US get those 3500 tanks over there.

That would take quite a bit of time and effort. We couldn't fly them all over there. The only aircraft that can take an M1 is the C5A, and maybe the C-17.

Normally, and I've done this, we have to load on rail cars at a railhead on post or otherwise. E.g. Ft. Benning, GA …

Then unload from the train cars at a port, e.g. Savanah, GA.

Up load on roll-on-roll-off ships at the port.

Take a week – 10 day, + to get to Antwerp.

Unload from the ships(s).

Load on railcars at a nearby railhead.

Unload in e.g. Poland at a railhead(s). After a long train ride from basically Antwerp to somewhere on Poland.

That all is going to take time … I know. But we only went to [West] Germany … not Poland.

There are some photos of them in battle few weeks ago.

Doubt that photo shows tanks being used by Ukraine, given that (1) it's flying a flag, and (2) it's flying a Polish flag …

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Official UA site, at least 236 tanks (not counting supports and IFV), mostly T-72M1R (very good optics, best for night sniping against Russians).

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Here is interesting info:

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According to FAZ, 2 months ago Poland offered Germany to transfer the PT-91 (not the T-72) to Ukraine in exchange for Leopards. No response from the Germans for 2 months.

I suppose USA is resolving this issue already.

If Ukraine would got all PT-91 (230+ 40 supports, better than most Russians T-72), that would be another armoured division (two brigades).
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Here I predicted such events: 4 ex-Polish armoured brigade for Ukraine.
TMP link

Good intel !

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Armoured by Ukrainian with ERA.

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Poland is negotiating producing licence from Korea for K2PL (polonized K2 Black Panther).

Germany didnt want to deliver LeoA7 to Poland.

Poland wants to transfer all 240 PT-91 (which are better than Russian tanks) to Ukraine (and resign of producing PT91) but Poland wants to keep own tankproducing ability (programe Wilk/Wolf). Cannot count ONLY on (unsure) delivery of (expensive) Abrams. If USA helps with negotiation with Korea, then PT91 should be in Ukraine in the next few months.

So in the future Poland would have 2 "American-like" Armoured Divisions at Abrams (working in system with Himars/F35/Apache etc), 2-3 Armoured Divisions at K2PL and 1 reserve AD on Leopard 2A5PL (which could be delivered to Ukraine).

Polish T-72M1R tanks operated by the Ukrainian army driving through Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast Ukraine Weapons Tracker, Jun 1, 2022.

Druzhina
Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

Umpapa… wish!
Atmo… need ex Russian equipment. To survive.

I'd think once Putin's war is over many NATO nations will be buying/getting more US, UK, etc., weapons systems.

All my previous predictions and rumours were confirmed.

Poland has transfered to Ukraine 240 active T-72 (plus 60 for cannibalization).

Today MoD of Poland declared that Poland is transfering PT-91.
YouTube link

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"The transfer of a new batch of tanks by Poland to Ukraine was confirmed on Monday by the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, Andriy Yermak, who tweeted that Polish PT-91 Twardy MBTs are "in Ukraine." The president's office chief has thanked Ukraine's Polish friends for their assistance.

The PT-91 Twardy tank was created in Poland based on the T-72M1. The biggest technical changes in the Polish tank, compared to the T-72, relate to the new DRAWA fire control system and active armor developed by ERAWA. This type was produced in Poland from 1995 to 2002. A total of 232 PT-91 Twardy tanks were produced for the needs of the Polish Armed Forces.

As reported earlier, Poland previously handed over to Ukraine a batch of 240 modernized T-72 tanks and more than 100 armored personnel carriers to counter Russia's armed aggression. To replace own armored fleet, Poland ordered 250 new Abrams MBTs and 116 older-generation Abrams tanks from the United States. In addition, Poland applied for at least 180 K2 tanks from South Korea."

So another 2 brigades of very good tank PT-91 (in addition two both previous brigades T-72) is transfered to Ukraine.

Thats 500 ex-polish tanks transfered to Ukraine altogether, not counting several hudreds support vehicles. F.ex. 18(given)+54(in production for Ukraine) AHS Krab (155 mm NATO-compatible self-propelled tracked gun-howitzer with brilliant ultramodern C3ISTAR system Topaz).

As today: LeoPL, USArmy Abrams and British Challengers are protecting Poland.

Germany previously promised "Ringtausch" retransfer some Leo for ex-polish tanks sent to Ukraine, but have not fulfilled promises (the same with Slovenia and Greece), so Eastern Europe is diverting from Leos (and Germany).

Poland went on shopping spree in USA nad Korea:
1000 K2/K2PL + 366 Abrams.
500 Himars (yep, five hundred launchers)
800 K9/K9PL
2024: total 6 Armoured/Mech Divisions. 300 000 soldiers.

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It sounds like Germany screwed Poland.

Well sounds like Poland transferred a lot of AFVs, etc. to the Ukraine. To kill Russian invaders, whom they have no love for. Ordered replacements. And other NATO allies are partly providing Poland's security, at this time. I don't see that as a bad thing. That is what allies[NATO] do/does.

FWIW – the ROK K2 was rated state of the art at one time. I left the ROK long before they appeared in the inventory …