The Polish military is to sign a contract to purchase 1,000 Borsuk amphibious infantry fighting vehicles, according to the Radio Information Agency (IAR). The agreement between the Ministry of National Defense and a consortium of companies, led by Huta Stalowa Wola, is to be concluded next week.
The Borsuk, which is Polish for “badger,” is an infantry fighting vehicle developed by Polish engineers. Several units are undergoing final tests in the Polish army. The Borsuks are to replace the Soviet-era BWP-1 infantry fighting vehicles that are currently used by Polish soldiers in ground units.
The Borsuk is a tracked vehicle that can traverse rivers and streams and is equipped with a universal modular tracked platform and a remotely controlled turret system. The crew comprises three soldiers: a commander, weapons operator, and driver. The vehicle is designed to transport six soldiers to the battlefield area while offering protection and performing tasks associated with supporting infantry subunits using onboard weapons.
The vehicle’s onboard weapons system can engage infantry, armored vehicles, air targets, and other enemy objects in any weather and at any time of day. The maximum speed on hardened roads is 65 kilometers per hour and 8 kilometers per hour when in water. The combat weight of the basic version is 28 tons.
An essential element of the vehicle is the ZSSW-30 remotely controlled turret system developed by Huta Stalowa Wola S.A. and WB Electronics S.A. The turret’s primary armament is the Bushmaster Mk.44S automatic cannon, capable of firing in automatic and semi-automatic modes using five different types of ammunition, including programmable ammunition.
The turret’s integrated auxiliary armament is the modified UKM-2000C 7.62mm machine gun. Additional armament includes a double launcher for Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles. The Borsuk project also plans to enable the vehicles to use other types of missiles.
