Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne in Poznań is part of the consortium implementing the program to build the “Borsuk” infantry fighting vehicle. As reported by “Głos Wielkopolski”, Currently, a second contract is being negotiated – for 140 units of these vehicles (the first one concerned 80 units). Its signing may be questionable if there is no money from SAFE — President Karol Nawrocki announced that he had decided to veto the bill implementing the EU loan program for defense investments. Poznań's WZM was included on the list of companies waiting for support, presented on Friday by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Wojskowe Zakłady Automotive in Poznań, dealing with: modernization and maintenance of military tracked and wheeled vehicles and their drive units, are participating in the program for the construction of the “Borsuk” infantry fighting vehicle, and more specifically, they are working on a quick-replacement drive unit. They will also develop special structures on the “Borsuk” chassis. The vehicles are to replace the obsolete BWP-1 vehicles from the 1970s in the Polish Army. Another contract in this regard is to be signed soon. But not only the production of “Borsuks” may be at risk, because WZM has more projects important for the defense industry.
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“We are in the process of implementing the 'Borsuk' infantry fighting vehicle project, we are involved in an equally important land drone project and we are aware that appropriate resources are needed, adequate to the indicated needs,” says Elżbieta Wawrzynkiewicz, president of WZM, in an interview with “Głos Wielkopolski”. “If we are talking about building 1.5 thousand 'Badgers', it cannot be carried out with the capabilities prepared for a series of over 80 units. In order for Polish companies to have the appropriate potential to implement already adopted, established projects, they must invest and develop these investments. They must be provided with funds,” he adds.
The head of WZM expresses hope that the presidential veto will not worsen the situation of the arms industry, “especially when the industry is trying to make up for many years of delays and is undertaking ambitious, very modern projects.” In her opinion, if there is no money, the Armament Agency will cancel planned investments or postpone them to an unspecified future.
