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Poland to Manufacture a Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle In a Pragmatic Way: Specifications And Basic Conceptual Solutions

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After ordering the Borsuk IFV, Poland will develop a heavy armored one (Borsuk in the photo / Source: PGZ)
After ordering the Borsuk IFV, Poland will develop a heavy armored one (Borsuk in the photo / Source: PGZ)

Poland will develop a heavy armored personnel carrier based on solutions that are already in mass production

Poland is not going to stop the total army rearmament. After signing a large-scale order for 1200 units of the Borsuk IFV, the country will also develop a heavy IFV.

Defense Express notes that the Borsuk is not able to overcome water obstacles while swimming. Due to this, the vehicle became to some extent a hostage of this condition, as the maximum weight and the level of armor protection, as well as the number of fighters in the landing compartment was limited.

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But, as Polska Agencja Prasowa states after having a conversation with the spokesperson of the Armaments Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Krzysztof Płatek, this was a completely conscious decision, since Borsuk will not be the only IFV for the Polish Army.

Poland to Manufacture a Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle In a Pragmatic Way: Specifications And Basic Conceptual Solutions, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
The Borsuk IFV / Credits: PGZ

In particular, Borsuk will be sent to brigades with the Korean K2 tanks and their localized version K2PL. For the Abrams brigades, a heavy IFV should be created without the requirement of amphibiousness.

In particular, it is stated that the new heavy Polish infantry fighting vehicle will receive better protection, as well as an enlarged landing section, which should accommodate up to 8-9 fighters (instead of 6 inside the Borsuk). The firepower of the vehicle should also increase, namely it is planned to install a 40-mm automatic cannon.

At the same time, a pragmatic way of development has already been outlined: the chassis of the new heavy infantry fighting vehicle is actually ready and is in mass production. This is a localized chassis of the Korean K9 self-propelled gun, which is already applied in the Polish Krab. That is, the platform itself, engine, transmission and suspension are there, and the task is only to form a new body.

Poland to Manufacture a Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle In a Pragmatic Way: Specifications And Basic Conceptual Solutions, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
The Krab SPG / Credits: Wojsko Polskie

The combat module is also practically ready, as the ZSSW-30 from the Borsuk will be used, replacing the 30 mm gun with 40 mm. Such strengthening does not require significant structural changes and Defense Express also notes that in addition to an automatic cannon and a machine gun, this combat module is armed with the Spike ATGM.

Poland to Manufacture a Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle In a Pragmatic Way: Specifications And Basic Conceptual Solutions, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
The ZSSW-30 with a 30-mm gun / Photo credits: PGZ

Thus, Poland already has all the main components of the new heavy infantry fighting vehicle. That is why the first unit will be ready in 2023 and demonstrated at the exhibition in Kielce, which is traditionally held in September.

Defense Express reminds that in late October the Polish Army began tests of the Korean AS21 Redback IFV, which is an export version for Australia of its own K21. The original vehicle carries up to 9 soldiers in the landing compartment, armed with a 40 mm automatic cannon (localized Swedish L70 from Bofors) and holds the strike of the 30 mm Soviet ammunition in the frontal projection.

Poland to Manufacture a Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle In a Pragmatic Way: Specifications And Basic Conceptual Solutions, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
The K21 IFV / Photo credits: Republic of Korea Armed Forces

At the same time, the Korean K21 can overcome water obstacles by swimming, although special floats must be inflated for this. Which is a rather controversial decision in real combat conditions.

Poland to Manufacture a Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle In a Pragmatic Way: Specifications And Basic Conceptual Solutions, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
The K21 IFV / Credits: Kim Sang Yeon

Defense Express notes that in addition to tracked IFVs, the Polish armed forces also operate another modern type of armored vehicles: the Rosomak wheeled combat vehicle, which is a licensed version of the Finnish Patria.

Poland to Manufacture a Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle In a Pragmatic Way: Specifications And Basic Conceptual Solutions, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
The Rosomak / Credits: Wojsko Polskie
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