30 soldiers from the 16th Pomeranian Mechanized Division, divided into 10 crews, learn the secrets of operation and usage on the K2 Black Panther tank battlefield. The training shall include a general and specialised part. In March, there will be shooting at the camp in Orzysz, followed by an exam. This is the ninth edition of training on the Panthers, organized by the 1st Battalion of Tanks from Morąg.
The training includes both theoretical part and applicable classes preparing for usage and handling of tanks. K2 Black Panther. The first shooting will besides take place as part of the course.
– Soldiers who first deal with K2 tanks are trained. It is very modern equipment which in all respect precedes tanks utilized in the Polish Army. Therefore, before we advance to fire training, all soldiers participate in theoretical and applicable classes with tank service, the first shootings are preceded by classes utilizing ETS trainers, as explained by Major Robert Ziędalski, deputy commander of the 1st Tank Battalion in Morąg. 20 Bartoszická Brigade Mechanized as the first in Poland, as early as 2022, received the Black Panthers and is presently conducting specified training in the Amber Division. Soldiers of the 20th Bartoszychtsky Mechanized Brigade participate in the course.
Certification crews
Future crews of the Black Panthers train utilizing the Morag garrison training base. After each theoretical course, applicable classes are besides carried out with driving modern machines – soldiers besides train with equipment maintenance on the cross-country exercise square. Not only soldiers who will service as drivers will learn to drive the tank. The commander and the gunman will besides be acquainted with the tank's driving compartment so that in combat or emergency situations they can guide it.
The military in March will join fire training at the Orish camp. They will train there, among others, firing at a distance of 2200–2400 m. – All crews during the course must carry out the shooting. Each of the 3 people in the tank, i.e. commander, gunner and driver, is to be trained to exchange functions if necessary. And that includes fire training. The commander and gunman must fire a 120-millimeter cannon and usage the K-16 rifle. The driver of the tank device will only execute shooting with the K-16 firearm – explains Major Ziedalski.
The full training of future K2 crews will end on March 20th with an exam and if soldiers pass it, they will receive certificates issued by the Center for Training of the Land Forces, authorising the usage of Black Panthers. The examination, both theoretical and practical, will be conducted by an examination committee of the Centre for the Training of Land Forces in Poznań, which will come to Morąg for its duration.
Black Panther Technology Jump
– Compared to tanks from the past era, in our case T-72, K2 Black Panther is simply a immense technological leap. The tank is filled with electronics. It is simply a immense amount of cognition to master, while young people present are accustomed to technology, to electronics, so in this sense they have easier than those who have trained on older generation tanks, says Major Ziedalski. It adds, however, that the Black Panthers require much more attention in terms of maintenance, i.e. standard operations by crews, as well as specialists, including checking the appropriate functioning of individual components and systems, which must be carried out according to the maintenance cycle utilizing specialized tools to guarantee that the equipment is in constant readiness for use. – In the case of K2, not only regular operations are carried out before, during and after use, but besides scheduled maintenance activities: monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual. And each of these actions is attended by soldiers from the tank crew," explains the officer.
The 55-ton K2 Black Panther is simply a Korean production tank, equipped with a smooth-bore 120 mm cannon. It besides has an automatic charging strategy and an integrated fire control system. The auxiliary armament of the vehicle is simply a 7.62 mm device weapon and a large caliber device weapon (WKM) 12.7 mm. The Black Panther has a 1500 hp diesel engine with automatic transmission, hydropneumatic suspension strategy (ISU) and a dynamic track tension strategy (DTTS).
North Korean tanks scope Poland from 2022 under an executive agreement, which assumes the transportation of 180 K2 units from 2022 to 2025. Finally, the framework agreement concluded with the Black Panther maker Hyundai Rotem is to get a full of 1000 K2 tanks and their the colonised improvement version of K2PL.
