Minister of National Defence Mariusz Blaszczak has signed an order for 1,400 Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles at the Steelworks Stalowa Wola. This is the largest project in the Polish arms industry for the past 50 years.
A framework agreement for the supply of Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles and specialist vehicles based on a universal modular crawler platform was concluded between the Armament Agency and a consortium of companies Polish Armament Group and Steelworks Stalowa Wola. According to the Minister of National Defence, the order of 1400 BWP Borsuk is the largest project of the Polish armaments industry.
“Steelworks Stalowa Wola” is a plant that produces modern and proven weapons,” assessed Minister Błaszczak and announced that the first vehicles Borsuk will be available as early as this year. “I count on the Polish Army to be quickly equipped with these vehicles” he said.
The Defence Ministry chief also stressed that the Polish Army is being modernised at a very fast pace.
“We are counting on modern weapons, compatible with the equipment of allied armies. Our goal is to deter an aggressor. That is why the army is more numerous and well-equipped”, said Minister Błaszczak.
The conference also highlighted that in addition to the Borsuk vehicles – designed to transport six soldiers to the battlefield region while ensuring an adequate level of protection, the agreement also concerns the supply of specialist vehicles based on a universal modular crawler platform. The decision of the Technical Modernisation Board approving the design of a heavier vehicle than the Borsuk was also announced, which will also be entrusted to Steelworks Stalowa Wola.
The BWP Borsuk is a tracked vehicle equipped with a remotely controlled turret system (ZSSW-30). It is crewed by three soldiers: a commander, an armament operator and a driver. The vehicle has the capability to fight infantry, armoured vehicles and air targets. Work on the Borsuks has been ongoing since 2014. They are vehicles developed entirely by Polish engineers.
Arkadiusz Słomczyński