HT-90 Pružný

HT-90 Pružný
The HT-90 Pružný on static display
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Holynia
Service history
In service	2002-present
Production history
Designer	Kurimany Machine & Tractor Works
Designed	1993-1999 HT-85C/HT-90A 2007-2014 HT-90Z
Manufacturer	Pozbator (1998-2005) Budča Bednář (2007-2015) ZAM/Pozbator (2017-present)
Unit cost	HK 4.3 million
Produced	1999–present
No. built	381
Specifications
Weight	46 t (45 long tons; 51 short tons)
Length	Overall: 10.8 m (35 ft 5 in) Chassis : 7.5 metres (24 ft 7 in)
Width	3.7 m (12 ft 2 in)
Height	2.215 m (7 ft 3 in)
Crew	3 (commander, gunner and driver)
Armor	Steel, composite armor, ERA, with soft-kill and hard-kill anti-missile defense systems
Main armament	125mm smoothbore gun with ATGM capability
Secondary armament	7.62mm coax gun 12.7 commander gun
Engine	6-cylinder 16.3 litre diesel engine 1,200 hp
Power/weight	26 hp/tonne
Transmission	Automatic
Suspension	Torsion bar
Operational range	540 kilometres (340 mi)
Speed	70 km/h (43 mph)

The HT-90 Pružný is a Holyn main battle tank designed by Kurimany Machine & Tractor Works and manufactured since 1999. The HT-90 is a development of the HT-85/75, first introduced in 1975, the HT-90 introduced a number of new features such as a hard kill active protection system and new welded turret. The tank has been in service with the Holyn Ground Forces since 1999. The HT-90 features a 6 cylinder, 1,200 hp diesel engine with a power-to-weight ratio of 26 horsepower per tonne. This replaced the HT-85s gas-turbine engine following cost issues during development. An upgraded version, the HT-90Z was unveiled in 2011. The tank was first built by Pozbator in Pozba, Holynia. The second run of the tank was undertaken by Budča Bednář in Budča, Holynia. Corruption allegations surrounding the second HT-90 contract saw the production become embroiled in a political scandal in Holynia. Budča Bednář was liquidated in 2016 and its assets purchased by ZAM. A new contract was awarded to ZAM and Pozbator to complete the remaining unfulfilled HT-90 tanks.

History

Development

In 1980, the HT-75 underwent an modernisation program aimed to improve reliability and situational awareness. The prototype model would be called Type 710. Type 710 started simply as a HT-75 chassis with improvements to the turret. During the course of development, Clona-2 (English: Shield-2) explosive reactive armour was developed by the Cizekporok Steel Research Insitute. This armour was an improved variant of the Clona-1 explosive reactive armour found on the HT-75. A new gas-turbine engine was developed and installed on Type 710 in 1982. This new engine was the Svanik GS75H gas turbine. The Type 710 was further upgraded in 1983 with a new 125mm smoothbore gun and accompying fire control system. In 1984, the Type 710 was introduced, becoming the HT-85. In 1986, new thermal sights and a countermeasure suite were created for the commander model of the HT-85. The Holyn military ordered 1,000 of the promising HT-85. Production would be undertaken by Pozbator, with deliveries beginning in 1985.

The HT-90 began as a development of the HT-85 main battle tank.

Long production times related to the Svanik GS75H gas turbine saw a request for a diesel engine variant of the HT-85. In 1986, Budča Bednář installed the D8-10T 1,000 hp diesel engine. Budča Bednář would begin production of the HT-85D, a diesel engine variant of the HT-85.

In 1992, Clona-3 explosive reactive armor was trialed. The promising results saw a new prototype tank, the Type 770 main battle tank begin development. A new welded turret was constructed to better fit the Clona-3 blocks. Other improvements were introduced including a soft kill active protection system with dazzlers, laser warning system and smoke grenades. An improved gas turbine engine was also installed, with over 1,500 horsepower and reduced fuel consumption. The Type 770 was well received by officials from the Ministry of Defence, however economic issues in Holynia prevented an order being placed in 1994. Funding for development continued, allowing further improvements to the Type 770.

Production and service

HT-90A

The HT-90A in service with the Holyn military in 2017.

A Type 770 prototype was showcased in 1996 with a 1,200 horsepower diesel engine. The lower cost of the diesel engine versus the gas turbine engine pushed the Ministry of Defence to order 200 Type 700-D main battle tanks. The Type 770 was designated HT-90 Pružný by the Ministry of Defence. The Pozba factory and Budča factory were chosen to split production of the tank. The first deliveries began in 1999, during the midst of the Bogorian War of Independence. The tanks saw their first combat use with the 35th Armored Regiment went it deployed to Bogoria, replacing their HT-75 main battle tanks. The HT-90 sucessfully countered anti-tank missiles as a result of its explosive reactive armour. A second deployment occurred from July 2000 to October 2000 with the 3rd Guards Armored Regiment which saw the HT-90 experience its first loss. During operations in Plsclow, the 45th Tank Company using HT-90s were ambushed by anti-government rebels. A tank was hit by a anti-tank guided missile which the active protection failed to engage. The charges in the autoloader were hit and exploded. Production was halted in January 2001 as a result of ongoing budget issues in the Ministry of Defence. In March 2002, production began again, with an updated 100 unit order.

HT-90M

In 2009, the Pružný II, or HT-90M was unveiled. The tank features a commanders panoramic thermal sight, Slozne active protection system, and a new generation of Klona explosive reactive armour. Pozbator declined to participate in producing the updated HT-90 as the factory was busy with other ventures. Audits of Budča Bednář's facility in 2006 led to the company being disqualified from future defence contracts by the previous government. The Ratkovic government removed the ban on Budča Bednář in June 2010.

In December 2010, the Holyn Ministry of Defence announced a request for proposal for 500 main battle tanks.

An HT-90M on display during a defence expo in 2018.

A feasibility study released in the summer of 2011 showed that a competing domestic proposal from defense company Malík Komárek A.S. named the Jazvec, the upgraded HT-90 design, along with two foreign contenders were being considered for the order. Two HT-90M prototypes were participating in trials, both manufactured by Budča Bednář.

In June 2013, the Pružný II was selected as the winner, with the Ministry of Defence placing a 200 vehicle order for the Ground Forces and an additional 70 vehicle order for the Marines.

In September 2013, representatives of Malík Komárek protested the decision with the Minister of Defence. In November 2013, Malík Komárek hired Kulhavý and Dušek s.r.o, a Bystrica law firm, to investigate the tank deal. The Cizekporok Post, a political newspaper, began its own investigation in January 2014 after a tip off from a Budča Bednář engineer.

In March 2014, a complaint was filed with the Ombudsman of the Narodna Rada alleging that the tank deal between Budča Bednář and the Ministry of Defence had been rigged in favor of Budča Bednář. In addition, Budča Bednář reportedly promised payments to government officials involved in the scheme if the contract was awarded.

The resulting political scandal saw Budča Bednář's executives arrested and the downfall of the Ratkovic government. In January 2015, Budča Bednář's assets were seized by the government and production on the HT-90M stopped. A joint consortium of ZAM and Pozbator were awarded a contract to finish the outstanding orders from the contract. Production restarted in late 2017 and the final HT-90Ms were delivered in July 2019.

The HT-90M failed to secure a 2020 order for 400 new main battle tanks, losing out to the HT-15 offered by Malík Komárek.

Variants

Main battle tanks

Type 770-A

Modernisation of the HT-85BV, with new welded turret and upgraded fire control system. Tank was not serially produced.

Type 770-B

Clona-3 reactive armour added to 770-A turret.

HT-90A

Initial production variant with new armoured side skirts, auxillary power unit and other improvements. 31 tanks were produced.

HT-90AZ

Upgrade for HT-90A with steering wheel and automatic transmission. Over 500 tanks were produced.

HT-90B

HT-90AZ with new turret. Ammunition stored in turret bustle and a new bustle-mounted autoloader. Serial production began in 2005.

HT-90V

Unveiled in 2009, the HT-90V is the most recent variant of the Pružný series. Features updated countermeasures suite, upgraded armour, and added panoramic sight. Remotely operated commander gun on the turret.

Infantry fighting vehicle

Type 770-KU

Heavy infantry fighting vehicle. Retains 125mm gun and turret. Can carry 5 infantry in troop compartment. Hull was lengthened to add troop compartment.