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.
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
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-90B
In 2009, the Pružný II, or HT-90V was unveiled. The tank featured a new panoramic sight, new explosive reactive armor and new countermeasure suite. 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 a new main battle tank to replace the HT-65 and HT-75 main battle tanks. Some of these vehicles dated back to the 1960s and had exceeded their service lives.
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-90V 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.
On 11 June 2014, Malík Komárek and Kulhavý and Dušek s.r.o publicly unveiled the preliminary results of their private investigation. Senior unnamed Budča Bednář, Defence Ministry, and General Staff officials had colluded to rig the the tank deal in favor of Budča Bednář. Highlighted quality control concerns at Budča Bednář, along with long lead times for delivery were allegedly overlooked during the bidding process. Two days later, the Cizekporok Post published its report on the growing scandal.
On 14 June 2014, government spokeswoman Kateřina Kinclová denied that any collusion had taken place and that the tender process was "fair and correct". Despite this, on 15 June, Deputy Defence Minister Marek Staněk, resigned with immediate effect. On 17 June, the Narodna Rada convened in the middle of its summer recess to discuss the matter. The government continued to deny any wrongdoing. Prime Minister Ratkovic denied wrongdoing by the Defence Minister and attempted to place blame on Deputy Defence Minister Staněk. On 20 June, a leaked recording of a phone call between Defence Minister Tomáš Daniel and Budča Bednář Chief Engineer Radek Bohata was released by the Cizekporok Times. In the recording, both parties agreed to "monetary disbursements" in the summer of 2014 following the first payment by the government to the manufacturer. A leaked email was revealed on the 22nd of June showing a job offer by Budča Bednář to Deputy Defence Minister Marek Staněk.
A motion of no confidence was made on July 1, accussing the Prime Minister of misleading the Rada. The vote failed as the ruling party, Renewal, maintained unity and wished for a formal inquiry into the matter. On 6 July,
Design
Armament
Mobility
Protection
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.