Defence & Space

Rheinmetall wins major order for artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition wins major 155mm ammunition contract. Order worth several hundred million euros, deliveries from 2025 until 2027. It…

2025-07-04 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

A contractor has been selected for the repair of Mk 75 guns on Polish OHP frigates

The Gdynia Naval Port Command has published information on the outcome of the tender procedure for the repair of two…

2025-07-02 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

SIPRI: Nuclear risks grow as new arms race looms

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published a report entitled SIPRI Yearbook 2025, which, among other things, discusses the issue of…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 10 minutes

Polish 35 mm SA-35 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun with PIT-Radwar

During the recent MSPO trade fair in Kielce, the company PIT-Radwar presented its proposal for a 35 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun…

2025-06-13 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 13 minutes

Rheinmetall wins major order for artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition wins major 155mm ammunition contract. Order worth several hundred million euros, deliveries from 2025 until 2027. It…

2025-07-04 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

A contractor has been selected for the repair of Mk 75 guns on Polish OHP frigates

The Gdynia Naval Port Command has published information on the outcome of the tender procedure for the repair of two…

2025-07-02 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

SKW Cryptographic Security Certificate for Polish Comp@n Radio Set from the WB Group

The WB Group announced that the Comp@n system radio set, developed by its subsidiary Radmor, along with the Cryptographic Document Management…

2025-06-14 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Advancing multi-domain EW operations: Rohde & Schwarz unveils latest innovations at AOC Europe

Rohde & Schwarz demonstrates the next generation of SIGINT/EW systems, sensor fusion and signal analysis solutions, designed to meet the evolving…

2025-05-12 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Autonomous and Unmanned Systems by Łukasiewicz – PIAP at the OPEX 2025 Training Ground in Italy

During the HEDI OPEX 2025 experimental campaign at the CEPOLISPE training ground in Italy, the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Industrial…

2025-06-28 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Paris Air Show 2025: Debut of Foudre – the French HIMARS

As previously announced by Turgis & Gaillard, the 55th International Paris Air and Space Show served as the venue for the…

2025-06-23 | Radosław Niesobski | 2 minutes

Rheinmetall wins major order for artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition wins major 155mm ammunition contract. Order worth several hundred million euros, deliveries from 2025 until 2027. It…

2025-07-04 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Polish Ministry of National Defence: New Contract for K2 Tanks and Support Vehicles Imminent

In Warsaw, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, along with Secretary of State at the Ministry…

2025-07-02 | Redakcja | 10 minutes

Bayraktar TB2 and FlyEye Drones to Support Polish Police Manhunt for Killer Near Limanowa

The Bayraktar TB2 drone and FlyEye systems will support the Polish police in the search for 57-year-old Tadeusz Duda, suspected…

2025-06-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 5 minutes

Galvion’s European Production Hub in Poland is formally opened by the Ambassador of Canada tothe Republic of Poland

Canadian company Galvion announced that the Canadian Ambassador to Poland, Catherine Godin, officially opened the European Production Hub in Gdańsk.

2025-06-26 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Rheinmetall wins major order for artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition wins major 155mm ammunition contract. Order worth several hundred million euros, deliveries from 2025 until 2027. It…

2025-07-04 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

A contractor has been selected for the repair of Mk 75 guns on Polish OHP frigates

The Gdynia Naval Port Command has published information on the outcome of the tender procedure for the repair of two…

2025-07-02 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

East Shield and the Baltic Defense Line: Cooperation and Investment in Defense Are the Cornerstone of Europe’s Security

East Shield, the Baltic Defense Line, the integration of available deterrence and defense capabilities, and EU defense funding were the…

2025-07-02 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Russia Loses World’s Largest Helicopter, Mi-26, in Ukrainian Attack on Crimea

The Security Service of Ukraine reported that during a special operation at the Kirovske military airfield in occupied Crimea, a Pantsir-S1 air…

2025-06-29 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Finland Ministry of Defense selects ICEYE for space-based intelligence and surveillance capabilities

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Finnish Ministry of Defense have signed a Letter of Intent that enables the Finnish Defense…

2025-06-27 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Axiom Mission 4: The Historic Spaceflight of Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski

June 25, 2025, will go down in history as the day when the second Pole in our history flew into…

2025-06-25 | Rafał Muczyński | 5 minutes
Shooting

CZ Shooting Team athletes take home 13 medals from the CZ Extreme Euro Open

Sport shooters representing Ceska zbrojovka brought back six gold, four silver, and three bronze medals from Hodonice, along with four…

2025-07-04 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Upgraded Z8i Scope from SWAROVSKI OPTIK

Swarovski Optik, the Austrian optics manufacturer with nearly 80 years of tradition, has unveiled an upgraded version of its Z8i…

2025-07-03 | Mariusz Piwowar | 3 minutes

Upgraded Z8i Scope from SWAROVSKI OPTIK

Swarovski Optik, the Austrian optics manufacturer with nearly 80 years of tradition, has unveiled an upgraded version of its Z8i…

2025-07-03 | Mariusz Piwowar | 3 minutes

Streamlight introduces the SL-SideSaddle

Streamlight, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting tools, announces the SL-SideSaddle series, a new hands-free lighting solution built for outdoor adventure…

2025-07-01 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

IFRE 2025: Maskpol Showcases Protective Suits and Gas Masks

Maskpol, a company within the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), presented part of its product range—protective suits and gas masks—at the 5th…

2025-06-17 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

UF PRO Introduces Waist/Flex Belts to Its Product Line

UF PRO, a Slovenian manufacturer of professional apparel and part of the Mehler Systems group, is adding a new accessory to its lineup…

2025-06-06 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

CZ Shooting Team athletes take home 13 medals from the CZ Extreme Euro Open

Sport shooters representing Ceska zbrojovka brought back six gold, four silver, and three bronze medals from Hodonice, along with four…

2025-07-04 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Enforce Tac 2025 starts on February 24th

Enforce Tac is an international trade fair aimed at law enforcement officers, experts from government agencies, and representatives of the…

2025-01-30 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

CZ Introduces the New CZ P-10 C PORTED Model

CZ P-10 C PORTED – a compact pistol with tamed recoil thanks to an integrated compensator.

2025-07-02 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Meprolight MMX3 and MMX4 – Lightweight Magnifiers with Quality Optics

The Mepro MMX3 and MMX4, a new line of compact magnifiers from the Israeli manufacturer. How do they perform in practice and…

2025-06-27 | Krzysztof Ptak | 8 minutes

Paris Air Show 2025: Bayraktar TB3 Debuts

The 55th edition of the International Paris Air and Space Show, held in the French capital, provided an opportunity for…

2025-06-19 | Radosław Niesobski | 3 minutes

Setting Up a Shooting Belt: An Example with Clawgear

To assist with shooting training and beyond, various belts and gear configurations have been developed and customized to suit individual needs. It’s…

2024-11-28 | Łukasz Kołodziejski | 14 minutes

Over 100% increase in gun permits in Poland in 2024

The Polish Police have released statistical data on firearm permits issued in 2024. An increasing number of Poles now hold…

2025-02-20 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

Firearms In Poland 2023: Number of permits continues to grow

The National Police Headquarters has released statistics regarding the number of firearm permits and firearms themselves in the hands of…

2024-02-17 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

5 Best Value ATN Rifle Scopes Under €1500

ATN is a leading manufacturer of daytime optics, smart night vision, and thermal vision technology. The innovative features and ergonomic designs…

2022-11-11 | Redakcja | 8 minutes

MILMAG Visits Grand Power

Grand Power is a Slovak manufacturer of the acknowledged good quality firearms. Take part in our guided tour with English subtitles.

2022-05-23 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

Meprolight MMX3 and MMX4 – Lightweight Magnifiers with Quality Optics

The Mepro MMX3 and MMX4, a new line of compact magnifiers from the Israeli manufacturer. How do they perform in practice and…

2025-06-27 | Krzysztof Ptak | 8 minutes

Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X – a Bayonet of Light for Your Weapon

The devil’s not so scary once you shine a light on him—and he’s certainly easier to neutralize in the spotlight. A weapon-mounted flashlight…

2025-06-09 | Anna Mielczarek | 6 minutes

EOTECH Holographic Sight – History, Technology, Practice

The holographic sight is a device known for nearly 30 years and used by professionals around the world. A favorite sight of many…

2024-09-02 | Michał Gaweł | 12 minutes

Contract for LOTR Kleszcz for the Polish Army

The Armament Agency signed a framework agreement with AMZ-Kutno company for the delivery of 286 Light Armored Reconnaissance Carrier (LOTR) Bóbr-3 (Polish for “Beaver”) as part of the Kleszcz (“Tick”) program.

On Wednesday, February 28th, with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and Deputy Minister Paweł Bejda, a ceremony took place to sign a framework agreement between the State Treasury – Armament Agency and AMZ-Kutno company to define the rules and conditions for concluding individual executive agreements for the delivery of 286 Light Armored Reconnaissance Carrier Bóbr-3 for the Kleszcz program.

Photo: AMZ-Kutno

During the visit to the company’s facilities in Kutno, the Ministry of National Defense delegation familiarized themselves with the plant’s infrastructure. Subsequently, the Minister of National Defense approved the framework agreement. Under its conditions, executive agreements for the delivery of 286 LOTR Kleszcz vehicles will be signed for the years 2025-2035. The first of these will be signed later this year. The Bóbr-3 will succeed the BRDM-2 armored scout cars and their modernized versions in the reconnaissance units of the Polish Army.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysława Kosiniak-Kamysz said:

This is a significant event for our security. It’s a matter of state interest. It’s not politically colored. Today’s agreement concerns 280 units of reconnaissance vehicles (…) I’m glad that this order is being fulfilled by the domestic industry. We have a very good product. I wanted to thank the president and employees of AMZ-Kutno. You are an important defense facility (…) For the Polish Army, this contract confirms that we will strengthen defense and modernize the armed forces. The Armament Agency plays an important role in this process (…) Reconnaissance is very much needed today, as evidenced by the example of the war in Ukraine. The eyes and ears of the Polish army will come from Kutno, providing additional job opportunities. We want Poland to be safe; it’s our priority (…) Our goal will be to ensure that as much money as possible stays in Polish defense industries. Today, we have an example that the domestic defense industry can have a significant role in the process of modernizing the Polish Army.

Photos: Ministry Of National Defense

have already mentioned that today’s agreement is the result of 10 years of work, research, and development. It is evident how many governments were involved in this process during that time. The difference between us and our predecessors is that I can say Poland did not start in 2015 or in 2023 (…) Our predecessors terminated the contract for the Caracal helicopters. The armed forces lost the opportunity to modernize their helicopter fleet. If the contract had been signed, we would have those helicopters today. We do not resent reality; instead, we continue agreements with improvements, added the Deputy Prime Minister.

Deputy Minister Paweł Bejda, the State Secretary in the Ministry of National Defense responsible for overseeing the technical modernization of the Polish Armed Forces, pointed out that: The example of the Kleszcz program shows that this is a cross-party effort. We aim to sign the executive agreement. If all goes well, there is a chance for further orders at AMZ-Kutno. The needs of the Polish Armed Forces in this regard are substantial.

The Dragon-24 exercises have begun, which are part of larger NATO exercises. Consequently, we can observe increased military vehicle traffic on the roads. These are the largest exercises since Poland joined the Alliance. I ask for understanding and patience for the movement of equipment and for kindness towards our soldiers and allies. Let’s also not make it easier for adversaries to gather information about our troops, added Deputy Prime Minister Kamysz (Dragon-24: The most important exercise of the Polish Army this year).

The LOTR Kleszcz, with the production name Bóbr-3, is being developed based on the agreement from 2013 concluded between the National Centre for Research and Development and a consortium of Polish entities, including: AMZ-Kutno (leader), Military Communication Institute, Military Institute of Armament Technology, and Military Institute of Chemistry and Radiometry.

A 4×4 wheeled vehicle will be added to the equipment of reconnaissance units of the Land Forces, ensuring an appropriate level of crew protection for the purpose of carrying out reconnaissance tasks. AMZ-Kutno company, operating since 1999, specializes in the design and production of bodywork for special-purpose commercial vehicles.

The Bóbr-3 is equipped with a 6-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 7200 cm3 and a power of 240 kW (326 HP) in a power-pack configuration with EURO 3 emission standard, an automatic gearbox, and all-wheel drive with independent suspension. The vehicle is 6.9 m long, 2.38 m high, and 2.5 m wide. The ground clearance is 400 mm, with a weight ranging from 12 to 14 tons (depending on the armor version, the maximum operating weight is 15.6 tons), and a range of 600 km. The maximum speed on hardened roads is 90 km/h with a range of 600 km, while the swimming speed is 7 km/h. The vehicle is adapted for fording and overcoming water obstacles, including rivers with a current of up to 1.1 m/s.

Photo: AMZ-Kutno

The main components of the Light Armored Reconnaissance Carrier include, among others, the following systems: reconnaissance – a tactical battlefield reconnaissance radar and optoelectronic head, communication – providing simultaneous communication between LOTR vehicles, helicopters, and superiors up to the battalion level, armament (remotely controlled weapon turret) – equipped with WKM-B 12.7 mm caliber machine guns and UKM 7.62 mm caliber machine guns, filtration ventilation, air conditioning, detection and protection against weapons of mass destruction, as well as a coupled system with a smoke grenade launcher for protection against laser painting.

The vehicle has been designed in two variants, namely a light variant (swimming) with a lower level of protection and a heavy variant (non-amphibious) with a higher level of protection.

As part of the LOTR Kleszcz program, the Ministry of National Defense initially intended to purchase 244 amphibious, reconnaissance, armored 4×4 wheeled vehicles with independent suspension, which would replace the currently used BRDM-2 vehicles. The program was launched in 2013, with an estimated value of 1.2 billion PLN at that time. In August 2021, the prototype was sent for testing to the 17th Mechanized Brigade.

LOTR Kleszcz is also intended to be the base vehicle for the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV), for which a technical dialogue was planned for the period February-May this year.

At the MSPO 2019 trade fair in Kielce, AMZ-Kutno presented a prototype of a wheeled tank destroyer based on the Bóbr-3 vehicle.

Photos: Corporal Paweł Kmiecik, CO MON:

Source: Ministry Of National Defense
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