On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, U.S.-based company Allison Transmission Inc. announced that it had received an order of undisclosed value from the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) for the supply of 3040 MX automatic transmissions for serial-production Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, ordered for the Polish Armed Forces.
Photos: Allison Transmission Inc.
This contract stems from an agreement signed between Allison Transmission Inc. and Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne (WZM) of Poznań, a subsidiary of Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), on September 5, 2023, the opening day of the 31st International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) at Targi Kielce. The signed document covered the joint promotion of transmissions manufactured by the American company for use in PGZ Group products, as well as the establishment of a Service Center for these transmissions at WZM.
It is also worth noting that on May 22 of this year, another PGZ subsidiary, Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), signed a letter of intent with Allison Transmission regarding powertrain systems for combat vehicles developed by the Stalowa Wola-based company.
“The 3040 MX brings Allison’s proven durability, reliability, performance and innovation to the medium tracked vehicle segment, and to Poland’s indigenously designed and produced Borsuk IFV,” said Dana Pittard, Vice President, Defense Programs, Allison Transmission. “Allison values its partnership with Poland, and we’re extremely honored to play a key role in supporting their defense initiatives.”
The 3040 MX cross-drive automatic transmission, part of the X-series, was developed based on the proven X300 system, which has been an integral part of European powertrain solutions for over 30 years, including in the CV90 and FV510 Warrior infantry fighting vehicles (and was also used in NBPWP Borsuk prototypes). This transmission offers a range of key improvements that enhance its overall performance, including better maneuverability thanks to a fast reverse gear and an integrated steering system, as well as improved acceleration and fuel efficiency. Additionally, it features operational enhancements, including increased reliability and advanced electronic controls with integrated diagnostics, making it a significant step forward in the field of military vehicle propulsion systems.
The 3040 MX transmission measures 1,047 mm in width, 844 mm in length, and 792 mm in height. Its dry weight is 975 kg, and its nominal weight is 995 kg. It offers four forward gears and two reverse gears, with a mechanical gear ratio of 4.8:1. The transmission is compatible with engines producing up to 800 hp / 596 kW (in the case of the Borsuk IFV, it is paired with the MTU 8V199 TE20 turbocharged diesel engine, delivering 720 hp / 530 kW) and is designed for vehicles weighing up to 40 tonnes (Borsuk has a curb weight of 28 tonnes, with the possibility of increasing it to 30–32 tonnes).
The 3040 MX is equipped with oil-cooled, hydraulically assisted service brakes, as well as independent parking and emergency brakes. It also features a 6th-generation advanced electronic control system, enabling performance optimization, onboard diagnostics, and future upgrades, including drive-by-wire capabilities and cybersecurity protections. Acceleration and fuel efficiency have also been improved through Allison’s Continuous Power Technology.
The transmission is used in the U.S. M10 Booker light tank. It is also being considered for the conceptual design of Ukraine’s BMP-W. Its advanced version, the 4040 MX, is scheduled to be integrated into the Swedish CV90 from 2028 onwards.
As a reminder, on March 27 of this year, Poland’s Ministry of National Defence placed an order with HSW for the first batch of 111 Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, worth approximately 6.57 billion PLN (gross), with deliveries planned between 2025 and 2029, as part of a total of 1,400 vehicles planned, including specialist variants.
It is worth noting that transmissions from Allison Transmission Inc. are also used in many other types of equipment operated by the Polish Armed Forces: the 155 mm K9A1 Thunder self-propelled howitzers (SNT Dynamics/Allison Transmission X1100-5A3), M1A1FEP and M1A2SEPv3 Abrams tanks (DDA X-1100-3B), the M88A2 HERCULES armored recovery vehicles (XT-1410-5A), as well as in Waran 4×4 multirole tactical vehicles and future Heron 6×6 command vehicles (4500SP type). Allison transmissions are also used in the Kleszcz Light Armored Reconnaissance Carriers (LOTR) based on the Bóbr-3 platform (the exact model not specified by the manufacturer), and in the Jelcz 442.32 Automatic prototype military truck (3000 SP).
On November 22, 2024, the U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC) from Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, acting on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense, signed a contract worth 80,652,849 USD with Allison Transmission Inc. for the provision of logistical support services related to the operation of transmissions in military vehicles used by the Polish Armed Forces.