The first copies of the new Borsuk Infantry Combat will go to the Polish Army this year. This is the beginning of the process, which is to lead to a replacement of over 900 BWP -1 – a structure remembering the 70s – modern, fully Polish vehicles. Thanks to the high anti -mine and modular resistance, the Borsuk design is to become the basis of mechanized troops for the next decades.
The Borsuk program began in 2014 and in the following years developed for new prototypes undergoing company and military examinations. BWP Borsuk is a vehicle based on a universal modular caterpillar platform (UMPG), equipped with a remote -controlled tower system, and its crew is three soldiers: commander, weapon operator and driver. It is intended for transporting six soldiers to the area of the battlefield, while providing an appropriate level of protection, as well as for the implementation of tasks related to the support of infantry subunits using on -board weapons.
– The project has now entered the new phase. We have a stage of serial production. Ten years was hard work on the project. First, one prototype was created, then an experimental vehicle, then four subsequent prototypes for training and research, and then two copies with an alternative power team – calculates in an interview with Newseria agency Agnieszka Czuba -Pytlos, the manager of the CBWP Ratel project at Huta Stalowa Wola. – Borsuk is to be the successor of the BWP-1. We want it to happen as soon as possible, of course it is also a matter of our customer and here the talks will definitely be ongoing about the next contracts.
BWP-1, designed in the realities of the Cold War, have thin armor only to protect against shooting weapons and do not provide anti-mine resistance. Equipped with 73 mm caliber cannon, the cars are not able to effectively combat modern tanks or drones, and their observation and connectivity systems are outdated. Attempts to modernize this equipment, such as the BWP-1M Puma variant, were only a bridging solution. Currently, the Polish army has about 900 operational BWP-1, which is why their replacement has become one of the key priorities of technical modernization.
March 27 this year In Warsaw, the first executive agreement was signed for the supply of 111 Borsuk Infantry Fathers worth PLN 6.57 billion. This is part of the framework agreement from 2023, which provides for the delivery of the entire family of specialized caterpillar vehicles based on a universal modular platform. In total, there are to be about 1.4 thousand. vehicles, including specialist cars: caterpillar Recognition Transporters of ŻUK, OSET command cars, Gotmem medical evacuation cars, gecko technical protection cars or Ares diagnosis transporters.
– The design of the new floating infantry fighting vehicle is co-financed by the NCBR. We operate in a consortium 10 entities, and HSW is its leader – emphasizes Agnieszka Czuba -Pytlos.
The delivery is scheduled for 2025-2029. The contract also includes, among others Training and logistics package. Badgeries are currently undergoing delivery and acceptance committees.
– We have already passed the course, we finish shooting, then there will be swimming tests. In September, we want to start training soldiers, which will end at the beginning of November and in December there will be a badge of badgers to the contractor – announces the HSW representative. – This year we are passing 15 carts, next three and subsequent years are 33 and 55. We hope that soon talks about subsequent contracts will start.
Badgeries are the first fully Polish construction with such a high degree of complexity. The vehicle weighs about 28 t, develops speed up to 65 km/h on land and 8 km/hw water. It can transport six landing soldiers and a three -person crew. It was equipped with an unmanned ZSSW-30 tower with a 30 mm cannon and Spike-LR anti-tank missiles, which ensures the ability to combat both armored goals and drones or low-flying helicopters.
– We can say with all awareness that it is an innovative product. Badgeries are intended for swimming, are characterized by high maneuverability, maneuverability and a high level of ballistic and anti -mine protection – emphasizes Agnieszka Czuba -Pytlos.
The modern character of the badger is emphasized by integration with digital command and communication systems, as well as hydropneumatic suspension, which ensures mobility comparable to Western constructions. The modular design allows you to use the same platform as a base for command cars, medical, technical or reconnaissance. The Ministry of National Defense assumes that over 350 such versions will be created, which will facilitate the unification of the fleet and servicing the equipment.
In parallel in Poland, a program of heavy infantry combat (CBWP), known as Ratel, is also developed. According to preliminary assumptions, the vehicle is to have a mass of over 40 t, stronger weapons and crew protection level comparable to tanks. The manufacturer showed a model of this vehicle during MSPO 2025 in Kielce.
– Next year we are planning its assembly and integration – announces the manager of the CBWP Ratel project in HSW. – We want to meet the expectations of the army, which is why we decided to move with this production, for now it is a product financed from our HSW funds.
