The Polish Armaments Group (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, PGZ) informed that in September a prototype of the Borsuk tracked infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) went through a series of field trials at the military training ground in Drawsko Pomorskie.
A prototype of the Borsuk tracked IFV at Drawsko Pomorskie military training grounds / Photo by: PGZ
During trials the vehicle, which formally is known as a New Fighting Swimming Infantry Vehicle (Nowy Bojowy Pływający Wóz Piechoty, NBPWP), was fitted with the ZSSW-30 unmanned remote turret system (Zdalnie Sterowanym Systemem Wieżowym, ZSSW-30), which in its final configuration will be armed with a 30-mm gun and a launched for Spike anti-tank guided missiles.
The first series of field trials were to confirm that the vehicle performs accordingly to its design and expected efficiency. The results of the trials remain classified. The manufacturer, a consortium of PGZ’s subsidiaries with Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) acting as the leader, currently analyses results of field trials.
‘The first prototype of the Borsuk vehicle, armed with the ZSSW-30 turret, did some hunting at Drawsko Pomorskie. At this moment we are not authorized to inform about the results of the tests. However. I can say with proud that we are fully satisfied with the first results of our work. The Borsuk IFV as well as the ZSSW-30 turret are the best examples of the fact that investments in country’s industrial competences bring spectacular effects.’ said Bartłomiej Zając, Chairman of the Board of HSW.
Under the Borsuk project a new tracked IFV will be designed, which eventually will replace BWP-1 vehicles. The platform is one of the most awaited by the Polish Army products of PGZ, with a production and development potential for at least 30 years.
According to the manufacturer, the new Polish IFV platform will have a swimming capability, making it able to cross wide water obstacles, as well as to operate in diversified terrain and various weather conditions. Furthermore, the NBPWP vehicle will be characterized by its high manoeuvrability and ability to be easily transported by air or land.
The ZSSW-30 turret was designed to fight, destroy and suppress enemy light and heavy armoured targets and other objects – including the enemy’s infrastructure – in different climate conditions, and to provide fire support for units during combat operations, at any time.