The Americans took a closer look at the elite Polish paratroopers
What defending Polish commandos defends most often to fight? With a modern rifle of domestic production, which, as soldiers say, gives them freedom and mobility, so needed in the contemporary battlefield. At a time when a light infantry plays a key role in armed activities again, such features gain importance.
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Until recently, the 6th Airborne Brigade was armed with assault rifles wz. 96 Beryl, i.e. a structure from the 90s, created by FB Radom plants. Today, the brigade uses only newer rifles of the same company – MSBS Grot, which is a modular Stebile weapon system. Each copy is equipped with a flask that can be folded or shortened. This is a great help when landing.
– The weapon is compact, so it is great for jumping – says Captain Bartosz Januszewski, with whom we talked during Lively Sabre 25 exercises in southern Finland.
These types of constructions are particularly valued by airborne and mechanized units. A smaller weapon allows you to move freely in tight spaces, faster action and react easier to threat. It can be worn close to the body so that she does not get on the equipment, and if necessary, spread out immediately and open the fire.
The first copies of the grotto went to the brigade in 2017. Some soldiers already use the third version, introduced in 2022, and the manufacturer is working on subsequent variants.
The MSBS Grot rifle uses the standard NATO ammunition – 5.56 × 45 mm. The initial speed is 890 m/s, the rate of fire is in the range of 700–900 shots per minute, and the effective range is 500 m. The weapon weighs about 4 kg and is less than a meter long with a spreading flask (exactly 98 cm).
Most soldiers use EOTECH sights from the USA. You can also mount additional optics and infrared lighting, which allows night activities.
Captain Januszewski emphasizes that the choice of Polish rifle was not accidental. – We prefer weapons of domestic production, because in this way we support our arms industry. In addition, it is easier for us to contact the manufacturer directly, submit comments and talk about improvements – he explains.
Brigadier General Michał Strzelecki, commander of the 6th Airborne Brigade, points out that not all units of the Polish Army use the grotto today. But it is his soldiers who usually receive the latest weapon systems first.
Although critical voices appeared, including regarding weapons, Strzelecki refutes the allegations. – This is a very good rifle. I am quite satisfied with it – says.
The senior sergeant from the same unit who took part in the exercises and talked to us through the translator, reserving anonymity, claims that the grotto definitely exceeds Beryl used, i.e. a structure based on the Kalashnikov rifle. – Weapons are very user -friendly – he assesses.
Compared to earlier beryla, Grot is a more modern, flexible and adapted to the realities of the 21st century. Poland not only modernized the weapons, but also strengthened its arms industry.
Although the cave is above all a weapon for the Polish armed forces, thousands of copies also went to Ukraine. Warsaw gave them as a support for a neighbor who refused to the Russian invasion.
One of the foreign volunteers we talked to at the beginning of this year did not hide his enthusiasm. – I'm a big fan of the grotto – he said.
The above text is a translation with American Business Insider edition
