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25.03.2002 21:00:06
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Re: Óõ òû...
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: Malaysia will buy Polish tanks
State-of-the-art, speedy PT-91s can help bolster the nation’s defence capabilities
From Syed Nadzri in Warsaw (news@nstp.com.my)
IT is confirmed. Malaysia is buying the PT-91 main battle tank from Poland to boost its defence capabilities.
The announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad at a Press conference yesterday means this will be the country's first real combat tank. Currently it only has light Scorpion tanks in its armoury.
"We have made up our minds. We will buy the Polish tank and now it is up to the officials of both sides to work out the details of the purchase," he said in response to the first question from the Polish media at the conference held at the end of his three-day official visit to the republic.
The reply seemed to have pleased the Polish Press delegation which had been seeking a firm answer from him throughout the visit.
The PT-91 tank is an upgraded version of the famed T-72, dubbed the Russian Tank, which has gained a reputation as a mean machine.
The Prime Minister, accompanied by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, had spent about two hours watching a demonstration of the tank on Thursday.
The tank has impressive mobility and is said to have a top speed of 60km per hour, very fast for a 45tonne chunk of steel.
It also has state-of-the-art firepower with day and night vision capabilities.
Details of the purchase to be worked out include crucial elements like the cost and payment arrangements as well as how many of the tanks would be acquired and when.
Dr Mahathir said payments, for instance, could be made in kind through the export of palm oil.
At the moment, however, Malaysia has decided only to settle for the main battle tanks and not other logistical support vehicles like tank recovery armoured vehicles and anti-aircraft support tanks.
Asked whether the decision was due to pressure from the Polish Press, Dr Mahathir said Malaysia had been evaluating military equipment from several countries.
"So if we decide to buy, it is because we want to buy and not because of any pressure from anybody," he added.
It is understood that one of the factors considered was the economic spin-offs expected to result from the purchase. Apart from a boost to palm oil exports, support industries are expected to be established to complement the tank batteries.
The Prime Minister was also asked to sum up his whirlwind tour of the north-eastern part of Europe which has taken him to three countries — Russia, Germany and Poland — in less than two weeks.
"It has been a useful visit. Useful contacts have definitely been established with the Government and business sectors of the countries and I'm glad to say that we have been well received."
http://www.nst.com.my/z//Current_News/NST/Sunday/Frontpage/20020324081710
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Malaysia confirms Polish tank purchase
By MERGAWATI ZULFAKAR
WARSAW: Malaysia yesterday confirmed that it will buy the PT91 main battle tank from Poland.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in announcing this, however, said details including the quantity, price and conditions would have to be worked out by the two governments.
Asked whether there would be counter-trade or transfer of technology over the purchase, he said there would be various “offset arrangements” in order to benefit both sides.
“We are interested on the export of palm oil and may be part payment in kind rather than cash.
“There will be other discussions on technology transfer and manufacturing in Malaysia. These are details that will have to be worked out by officials,” he said at the end of his three-day official visit to Poland.
COURTESY CALL ... Dr Mahathir looking at a picture of a mosque in Gdansk-Oliwa being shown to him by Imam Selim Chazbijewicz in Gdansk Saturday. - Bernamapic
Malaysia and Poland have been in discussions on possible purchase of military weapons from Warsaw since 1993 but because of the economic crisis, the plans had to be shelved.
During the Prime Minister’s visit here, the Polish Government staged an elaborate demonstration of the PT91 for the Malaysian delegation at the Tadeusz Kosciuszko Warsaw Armoured Brigade camp in Wesola, about 30 minutes’ drive from here.
The PT91 is a main battle tank used in combat and it is an upgraded version of the Russian built T72.
The Malaysian army conducted an extensive evaluation of the vehicle over the past three years to see the adaptability of the tank in local conditions.
Malaysia has been looking for main battle tanks to equip its armoured regiment, which currently operates the British-made Alvis Scorpion light tank as well as several makes of armoured personnel carriers.
Dr Mahathir also spent a day in Gdansk, some 350km from here, on Friday where the Polish had put up an impressive demonstration of naval airwing including its combat search and rescue capabilities.
Asked whether there was pressure by the Polish government to purchase the PT91, Dr Mahathir replied: “I don't think there was any pressure. We have evaluated the weapons systems of many countries.
“We know the relative merits of each and we have decided on main battle tanks from Poland because of the merits.”
On his visits to Russia, Germany and Poland, the Prime Minister described them as very successful, adding that the Malaysian Government had made good contact with these countries.
Dr Mahathir returns home today.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2002/3/24/nation/mftanker&sec=nation