At the III International Police and Public Security Fair POLSECURE 2024, held on April 23-25 at Targi Kielce Exhibition & Congress Centre, Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), a part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), presented the command version of the Tactical Multipurpose Vehicle Waran 4×4.
Photos: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
The construction of the Waran 4×4 platform is modular, as discussed during the XXXI International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO 2023 in Kielce. There, the wheeled tank destroyer Ottokar-Brzoza was also presented, already ordered by the Armament Agency for the Polish Army, along with the previously announced vehicle carrying the launcher of Unmanned Reconnaissance and Attack System (BSP-U) Gladius, and the proposed anti-UCAV system.
Now at POLSECURE, the newly presented configuration of the Waran is showcased as the Command Vehicle for the Divisional Fire Module (DMO) at the division level of the Rocket and Artillery Forces (WRiA). In this configuration, it has been offered since last year as a key component of command and reconnaissance systems for the future 155mm wheeled howitzer Kryl, the 122mm rocket artillery Langusta, as well as the multiple rocket launchers Homar-A (M142 HIMARS), Homar-K (K239 Chunmoo), the modernized Langusta-M, or the aforementioned Ottokar-Brzoza.
Waran 4×4
The vehicle was developed with the Czech partner Tatra Export (part of Tatra Trucks, belonging to Czechoslovak Group and Promet Group) under the agreement dated September 8, 2020, concluded at the XVIII MSPO, which aimed at designing and delivering a complete 4×4 armored vehicle with technical documentation enabling production of its cabin in Poland. The starting point for the future Waran was the Czech Patriot II on the T815-7M3B21.372 Force line chassis, which was previously showcased at the XVII MSPO in 2019.
However, as emphasized by Huta Stalowa Wola, the Waran has been deeply rebuilt and modified in Poland to meet the requirements of the Rocket and Artillery Forces. Both command vehicles and weapon carriers have been designed and equipped in Poland, taking into account the required communication and battlefield management systems.
The Waran is equipped with a six-cylinder, air-cooled Tatra T3C-928-90 diesel engine with a power output of 300 kW (or alternatively, an air-cooled Cummins ISL engine with a power output of 270 kW), paired with an automatic six-speed Allison 4500SP transmission, providing a maximum speed of up to 110 km/h on paved roads and a driving range of up to 700 km. It features ballistic protection ranging from level 2 to 4 and mine protection ranging from level 2a/2b to 3a/2b according to the STANAG 4569 standard.
The Waran’s curb weight is 13,000 kg, with a permissible gross weight of 18,000 kg. The vehicle can overcome vertical obstacles up to 0.5 m high, trenches with a width of 0.9 m, longitudinal slopes of up to 45º, and transverse slopes of up to 32º. It can also ford water to a depth of 1.2 m without preparation. The Waran can operate in ambient temperatures ranging from -32 ºC to +49 ºC. Ground clearance is adjustable and ranges from 260 mm to 430 mm.
The construction is based on a central tube with a diameter of approximately 400 mm. It consists of modules, between which gear transmissions are mounted to transfer power from the drive shafts to the articulated half-axles. The design eliminates the need for Cardan joints to transfer torque, reducing the risk of damage to gears and shafts caused by obstacles encountered during off-road driving. According to HSW, the chassis features excellent driving characteristics.
A major advantage of this solution is its modular design, which allows for easy vehicle expansion. It enables straightforward reconfiguration from the initial 4×4 drivetrain to a 6×6 or 8×8 variant, as well as the integration of additional systems. The modular chassis construction, widely used across military vehicles, facilitates maintenance and reduces operating costs.
Huta Stalowa Wola offers the possibility of installing the following equipment:
- fire control system,
- internal and external communication system (HF+VHF),
- remotely controlled weapon module (RCWS) or turret mount
- inertial navigation system,
- ventilation-filtration system,
- fire suppression and explosion suppression system,
- laser warning and smoke grenade launcher self-defense system,
- additional power generator,
- heating and air conditioning system during stops,
- NBC protection
- self-recovery winch,
- tires equipped with run-flat inserts and central tire inflation system,
- equipment set enabling vehicle camouflage.
The Waran 4×4 can be configured into the following variants:
- command vehicle,
- multipurpose vehicle for Special Forces,
- artillery reconnaissance vehicle,
- position reconnaissance vehicle,
- liaison officer vehicle,
- platform for anti-tank guided missile systems as a light tank destroyer,
- chemical and radiological contamination reconnaissance vehicle,
- carrier for light weapon systems,
- radar platoon commander vehicle,
- platform for mine clearance patrols performing improvised explosive device disposal,
- personnel and equipment transport vehicle for tactical air control teams.