Polish structures of armored equipment after 1945

Abstract

The article deals with the little-known problems of constructing construction works on new types of combat vehicles in Poland after the Second World War. Three periods covering the years 1955–1960, 1961–1990 and after 1990 were specified. In the first and third period, in addition to the work related to the modernization of armored equipment, completely new designs were prepared, which were to constitute a breakthrough in equipping the armed forces. It resulted from the desire to obtain own equipment, which produced by the domestic industry would protect the current needs of the Polish Army. Unfortunately, most of these projects could not be implemented due to the rapidly growing costs of research and development. The second period was characterized by intensive work on the improvement of license vehicles produced in Poland and the preparation of specialist vehicles based on them. Many of these projects have been implemented, which allowed for the resignation of the purchase of such vehicles abroad.