On Monday, August 14, 2023, in Warsaw, the Polish Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak, approved the framework agreement for the purchase and adaptation of Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
Image: PGZ
The subject of the framework agreement, signed between the State Treasury – Armament Agency and the Consortium consisting of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), is the delivery of several hundred Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
The implementation of the aforementioned framework agreement for the delivery of Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicles will result in a purchase with adaptation. This will enable the delivery of the first heavy IFVs to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland to take place in 2025, along with a logistics and training package. The agreement also includes the expansion of production and service infrastructure.
https://twitter.com/MON_GOV_PL/status/1690983205795450880?s=20
First of the approved documents concerns the development of the Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle (CBWP). The basis for this construction will include elements of the self-propelled howitzer Krab/K9, and additionally, the CBWP will be equipped with the Remote-Controlled Turret System (ZSSW). The role of the new vehicle will be direct… — Ministry of National Defense
https://twitter.com/MON_GOV_PL/status/1690984645981016064?s=20
Minister Mariusz Błaszczak: We will acquire 700 units of the Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle. This is the subject of one of the agreements approved today. — Ministry of National Defense
The Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle will be created by combining the chassis of the Krab self-propelled howitzer with the remotely controlled turret system ZSSW, armed with an anti-tank guided missile launcher.
The primary task of the Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle will be to engage armored and unarmored targets, incapacitate and destroy exposed enemy firepower, combatants, as well as field shelters and fortifications in direct contact with the enemy.
The vehicle will carry a three-person crew and transport up to 8 infantry soldiers, providing fire support to the transported squad in all weather conditions, both day and night. Designed to cooperate with armored units, the Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle will be characterized by a high level of ballistic and anti-mine protection, as well as excellent traction capabilities.
It is worth mentioning that in the context of the framework agreement for nearly 1400 vehicles, of which over 1000 are to be Borsuk IFV, on February 27, 2023, the then spokesperson for the Armament Agency, Lt. Col. Krzysztof Płatek, announced that before the end of the year, the Agency plans to place an order with HSW for the aforementioned heavy infantry fighting vehicle mentioned by Minister Błaszczak, which is to be based on the K9 Thunder/Krab chassis and the ZSSW-30 turret.
https://twitter.com/krzysztof_atek/status/1630532129011511296?s=20
The BWP BORSUK order is not the only task assigned to HSW S.A. in terms of equipment for mechanized forces. Still this year, the Armament Agency plans to place an order for a ‘heavy’ BWP, which will be based on the K9 THUNDER platform and the ZSSW-30 turret. — Krzysztof Płatek
Based on press release