PHO to seal z.800 million deal with India

[Enemy]

29th August 2013Bookmark and Share
PHO close to sealing z³.800 million deal with India - Warsaw Business Journal - Online Portal - wbj.pl

Polish Defence Holding (PHO) is finalizing talks on a major contract in India, according to sources quoted by Gazeta Wyborcza. The deal involves the Polish firm selling 200 WZT-3 armored recovery vehicles for zł.800 million.

The newspaper's sources claim that the contract could be signed in September. PHO's spokesperson Stanisław Wojtera confirmed that talks are in progress, but also said that no deal has yet been signed. “We of course hope for a positive outcome,” he said.

Sources said that the Indian side is eager to sign the deal quickly. Local authorities have reportedly withdrawn from earlier demands for restrictive fines in case PHO does not fulfill the terms of the contract.

The issue of penalty payments is important to PHO as its last deal with India nearly bankrupted the company. In 2011 PHO -- then called Bumar -- agreed to deliver over 200 armored vehicles to the Indian military. The contract, whose details were not revealed to the firm's management board, carried fines for delays or technical problems that exceeded the value of the contract itself, Polish media reported. The scandal eventually led to the resignation of the company's CEO at the time.

 

[GR!FF!N]

The WZT-3 (Woz Zabiezpeczenia Technychnego) is a Polish armored recovery vehicle, developed in the late 80s. It was intended to support the Polish Army T-72 main battle tanks, which entered service in 1978 and was locally manufactured under license. The previous WZT-2, based on the T-55 tank was not capable to support the heavier T-72. Prototypes of the new armored recovery vehicle were tested from 1986 to 1988. It was immediately accepted to service with the Polish Army. Production commenced in 1988 and ceased in 1989. Only 20 of these armored recovery vehicles were built for the Polish Army.
The WZT-3 is based on a modified T-72M main battle tank chassis. It is fitted with a crane, winch and front-mounted dozer. The main mission of this vehicle is to evacuate damaged tracked vehicles from the battlefield. It also recovers overturned and swamped main battle tanks in different terrains. The WZT-3 provides maintenance service in the field, or tows damaged MBTs to maintenance units. Vehicle also performs earth moving activities, or digs combat emplacements.
A jib crane has a 15 t capacity for 5.8 m boom and 13.5 t capacity for 8 m boom. The crane is less powerful comparing with contemporary Western ARVs, however it's power is adequate to lift turret or powerpack of the T-72 MBT. If repairs are required to a vehicle's suspension, the crane raises the front of back of the vehicle to allow access to the damaged system. When not required the crane lays along the left side of the hull.
Vehicle has a main mechanical winch with a 31 t pull capacity and 200 m long cable. With the help of pulley blocks traction force is increased to 62 t. The main winch is used to recover damaged, stuck, sunken and overturned vehicles. There is also auxiliary winch which has 200 kg pull capacity.
The WZT-3 armored recovery vehicle tows damaged, faulty or uncontrolled vehicles, or similar type tanks using rigid or non-rigid hitches to the nearest shelters, assembly points of repair units. This armored recovery vehicle has a towing capacity of around 50 000 kg.
The dozer blade is used for clearing obstacles and earth-mowing works, such as preparation of firing positions, covering up of ditches, self-entrenching and so on. The dozer blade is also used to stabilize the vehicle during craning and winching operations.
The WZT-3 has inbuilt welding and cutting equipment. It is used to repair damaged hulls in field conditions. It also carries a wide array of tools for field repairs. This armored recovery vehicle can also re-fuel other combat vehicles in the field, or drain fuel from them. Vehicle has a rear loading platform and can carry a spare powerpack of the T-72 or similar MBT.
The WZT-3 has a crew of four. Vehicle is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems. This military vehicle is armed with a roof-mounted 12.7-mm machine gun for self-defense against ground and air targets.
The WZT-3 is powered by a V-46-6 turbocharged multi-fuel diesel engine, developing 780 hp. This armored recovery vehicle is also fitted with auxiliary power unit.

Variants

WZT-3M, improved armored recovery vehicle, based on the PT-91 Twardy main battle tank. The main difference was the more powerful engine of the PT-91. Production of improved ARV commenced in 1999. The WZT-3M S-12U diesel, developing 850 hp. Only 9 of these armored recovery vehicles were built for the Polish Army. All original WZT-3 vehicles (20 units) were upgraded to this standard. The WZT-3M is also in service with India, which operates 352 of these ARVs. In 2012 India ordered additional batch of 204 armored recovery vehicles. Thise will be locally built from Polish supplied components. Vehicles are scheduled to enter service with the Indian Army at the end of 2014. Indian Army ARVs are used to support the T-72 and T-90 fleet of main battle tanks.
WZT-4 armored recovery vehicle for Malaysian Army, based on the PT-91M tank;
M-84ABI Yugoslavian armored recovery vehicle for Kuwait, based on the M-84AB main battle tank. It is a license-produced version of the WZT-3. A total of 15 ARVs were built and exported to Kuwait.




Entered service 1988
Crew 4 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 42 t
Length 8.3 m
Width 3.27 m
Height 2.71 m
Performance
Lifting capability 15 t
Winch capacity 31 t / 62 t
Towed load ~ 50 t
Earth working capacity ~ 100 m³/h
Armament
Machine guns 1 x 12.7-mm (200 rounds)
Mobility
Engine V-46-6 diesel
Engine power 780 hp
Maximum road speed 60 km/h
Range 450 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 50%
Vertical step 0.85 m
Trench 2.8 m
Fording 1.2 m
Fording (with preparation) ?


that means we'll need different ARV for Arjun???