Polish Army receive first unit of PILICA Anti-Aircraft Missile System

Polish Army receive first unit of PILICA Anti-Aircraft Missile System. The system have officially entered in service at the 3rd Air Defense Missile Brigade of Polish Army. This is the one of the six ordered system.

One system includes: 6 fire units with artillery tractors, command station, radar station, 2 transport vehicles and 2 ammunition vehicles. Each fire unit of the PILICA system consists of two 23 mm caliber cannons and two GROM / PIORUN anti-aircraft missile launchers. Each set has its own optoelectronic head with a thermal imaging camera and laser rangefinder.

This configuration gives the PILICA system the ability to conduct autonomous operations, but also to operate as part of an integrated, multi-layered anti-aircraft defense as a very short range system (VSHORAD).

T-72M1R - Upgraded T-72M/M1 for Polish Army

T-72M1R - Upgraded T-72M/M1 for Polish Army

“BUMAR-ŁABĘDY” facility overhauling and modifing T-72 main battle tanks to the Polish military. The process results on the grounds of the agreement concluded in July of 2019, valued at PLN 1.75 billion. PGZ S.A. is leading a consortium working on that order, also involving the “BUMAR-ŁABĘDY” S.A. facility and WZM S.A. facility as well. Scope of work covered by the agreement envisages recovery of capabilities and introduction of upgrades in case of the T-72M1 main battle tanks that remain and are reintrodunced into the inventory of the Polish military.

The T-72M1R is the minimalist result of a long standing program to upgrade the fleet. The most visible upgrade is the PCO KLW-1 Asteria thermal camera which is installed right in front of the gunner’s hatch, in a similar position to the Sosna-U on the Russian T-72B3. The viewer for this sight is just to the left of the older TPD-K1 sighting device. The upgraded tank is also integrated into the Polish BMS system, sporting a large multifunction display for the commander to communicate on. New intercoms and night vision devices for the commander and driver are also present in the T-72M1R

Commander's compartment, white display provide the image from gunners thermal sight, green display is for BMS (Battle Management Systems)

Gunner compartment