The roar of Black Panther engines resounds at the Braniewo base. The first edition of this year's course for K2 tank crews, which have been equipped with the 9th Armoured Cavalry Brigade for respective months now, is taking place there. After learning to drive and master all systems, it will be time for combat shooting and final exam.
Last year at this time 9 BKPanc soldiers first trained with K2 tanks on their territory under the supervision of their own instructors. Previously, they had to trust on the experience of colleagues from the 20th Mechanized Brigade in Morag, who received the first Black Panthers as early as December 2022. The first transportation of K2 to the Bravian unit occurred little than 2 years later. Since then, 9 BKPanc has managed to rewire the full 1st Tank Battalion (the another 2 proceed to usage PT-91 Tough) and train respective twelve crews in Braniewa in total: commanders, gunmen and drivers.
Last year 9 BKPanc conducted 4 K2 service courses – mostly for its soldiers, but the training was besides utilized by battleships from the 15th Giżycka Mechanized Brigade, which besides sets their tank battalions into wagons from South Korea. presently in Braniewo is taking place first course of this year for K2 crews25 people. “They are soldiers exclusively from our brigade, and most of them have not previously served on tanks,” says Lt. Błażeżny, the commander of course K2. The officer adds that even if individual had previously had contact with e.g. PT-91, they inactive gotta learn everything from scratch. – K2 is simply a tank of the 21st century, filled with electronics, equipped with modern systems, e.g. counter-tracking by another combat units, by helicopters – noted Colonel Marcin Jankowski, commander of 1st Tank Battalion 9 BKPanc.
The course began in January and will last about 2 and a half months. – We started with theoretical classes in the lecture room, then we went to a explanation connected with practice. At the time, the first entrances to the tanks were held, the discussion and adaptation of safety conditions, the cognition of the rules of usage of this equipment – said Lt. Free. “The practice is now taking place, which is mainly driving learning. The culmination of the course will be the firing of combat ammunition on the ground," added the officer. The driving training is carried out at a cross-country camp in Braniewa, where during the march the commander and gunner conduct reflection to detect a possible target, and the driver perfect driving method in different terrain conditions. Combat shooting will take place at the Police Training Centre of the Land Army in Orzysz. There's an exam waiting for all the students to finish.
Learning to drive K2 is not only about dynamic movement on a very uneven and snowy terrain (last year a motley ground sank in the mud). K2 crews learn to drive in a column of respective tanks, while moving change the position of the tower and cannon, exercise rear parking, etc.
Lt. Free points out that a 12-week course gives the trained basic cognition of the operation and usage of the Black Panther. – K2 is simply a very modern tank, which has large capabilities and at the same time challenges the soldier. Students must learn how to operate on board computers, fire management systems, but only during further service will they gain the essential experience to work on this equipment," the course commander says. For example, a candidate for a K2 driver is required only a category B driving licence, commitment and willingness to learn.
When the Black Panthers are observed on snowy terrain, overcoming obstacles at respective stages of freezing, the question is: are K2 well adapted to specified weather conditions? Colonel Jankowski admits without a uncertainty that after a week of constant standing in the cold engines in fresh tanks did not origin any problems with the launch. Just like lobster-K. during fresh exercises on the Arctic CircleK2 did not request to be replaced or modified before working in the cold. The only difference was the peculiar pads on the caterpillars, which increase the adhesion of the tank in the snow.
Braniewa battleships emphasize that the tank has heating and air conditioning, so inside there are very comfortable conditions even at very negative temperatures outside. In addition, each crewman has rather quite a few space for himself there, as 1 of the participants who was over 190 cm tall convinced.
