Poland now has one of the strongest tank fleets in Europe, with hundreds of modern M1A2 Abrams and K2 Black Panther tanks delivered or on the way. But without active protection systems (APS), those vehicles remain critically vulnerable to drones, loitering munitions, and modern anti-tank missiles – a gap that could cost them their combat effectiveness within hours on today’s battlefield.
The Polish military has taken delivery of 233 Abrams tanks and 180 K2 tanks, with additional shipments arriving this year. The defense ministry aims to build a force of at least 1,000 modern tanks, making the country the largest operator of American M1 Abrams in Europe. Yet according to military analysts and former commanders, the armor protects the crew only about half the time – the rest is up to active defense.
War in Ukraine has shown the brutal consequences of relying solely on passive armor. Drones, especially FPV kamikaze and loitering munitions, are responsible for most tank losses. Systems like Israel’s Trophy, South Korea’s KAPS, or Elbit’s Iron Fist can detect incoming threats and destroy them in mid-air before they hit the tank.
Without active protection, even the best tank is vulnerable
– If a tank does not have active protection, it will not survive on the modern battlefield even for an hour. Ukraine proved this unequivocally – said Stas Aideman, retired colonel of the Israel Defense Forces and director of marketing and business development at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, during this year’s Defense24 Day conference.
General Stanisław Koziej, former head of the National Security Bureau, told WNP: – The war in Ukraine marked the end of the era of passive armor. A tank without APS today is as exposed as an infantryman without a bulletproof vest. Poland must equip its Abrams, Leopards, K2 and Borsuk IFVs with APS, otherwise losses will be unacceptable.
The late General Waldemar Skrzypczak, former commander of the Land Forces, previously told WNP: – Tanks without active protection are blind and naked against modern threats. Poland should implement APS immediately, not in five years. Israel and the USA do not send tanks into battle without APS, and Poland should not be an exception.
Poland needs to act quickly – international cooperation is key
Rafael’s Trophy system is the only combat-proven APS in the world, used on Merkava tanks and on US Army Abrams. The company has offered cooperation to Poland, particularly for the K2PL variant. – The Polish Armed Forces have selected this system, and we are proud to work together to protect K2PL tanks – a Rafael representative said during the interview.
South Korea’s KAPS, developed with Trophy technology, is the natural choice for the future K2PL tanks that will be built in Poland. Polish industry is already producing 52 components for the Abrams and could take part in APS production.
Modern warfare does not forgive gaps. A tank must be protected in layers – passive armor, hard-kill APS, soft‑kill, electronic warfare and sensors. Only a holistic solution can truly increase survivability. Rafael’s team constantly updates its systems using data from the front. – We learn all the time. Our systems evolve. You need a holistic approach, not individual purchases – Aideman added.
The first step has been taken: Poland has the tanks. The missing dot over the ‘i’ is the active protection system. Without it, the “armored fist” will remain incomplete and dangerously exposed.
Source: WNP.PL, Photo: ZOOM MON / Pvt. Anna Wolska / 1st Pomeranian Logistics Brigade
