On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Poland’s Armed Forces 2nd Regional Logistics Base in Warsaw (2. RBLog) announced the launch of a tender procedure for the repair of military equipment and, if needed, F3/F4-level maintenance services for Bergepanzer 2 armored recovery vehicles (ARVs), designated in Poland as WZT (wóz zabezpieczenia technicznego, technical support vehicle) BPz-2.
Photos: Polish Ministry Of National Defence
The deadline for submitting requests to participate in the tender is July 17, 2025, at 08:00. The bid selection criteria will include: hourly rate for F3-level maintenance (50%), total cost of F3-level maintenance (5%), cost of WZT BPz-2 verification (15%), cost of F4-level maintenance (5%), markup on parts replaced/used during equipment servicing (10%), and the warranty period for the completed service (15%). The contract is scheduled to be completed by November 27, 2026.
The requirements and detailed description of the subject of the contract are outlined in Annex No. 1 to the Terms of Reference, which will be provided by the contracting authority to those bidders invited to submit offers and who meet the conditions specified in the announcement.
This procedure was preceded by an earlier notice published on March 6 of this year, concerning the verification service and preparation of a cost estimate for the repair of WZT Bergepanzer 2 vehicles and/or performance of F3/F4-level maintenance.
As previously stated in the documentation, the scope of the service will include:
- Repair or replacement of faulty components, subassemblies, or assemblies, without introducing any structural modifications to the military equipment.
- Damaged components and subassemblies that are eligible for refurbishment and replaced with new ones remain the property of the military and must be returned to the user.
- The repaired component, subassembly, or assembly must be technically operational and meet the specifications outlined in the manufacturer’s documentation.
- Replacement with a new, unused part (first category) or a refurbished, technically sound used part is permitted, provided it meets the technical parameters in the manufacturer’s documentation and ensures proper operation of the equipment.
- F3 to F4-level maintenance must be carried out in accordance with the following technical manuals (TDv): TDv 2350/025-12, TDv 2350/025-22, TDv 2350/025-31, TDv 2350/025-24, and TDv 2350/025-80.
- Replacement of tracks or batteries with new ones is not required during the repair process.
- The service will be performed within the territory of the Republic of Poland, at a location indicated by the contractor in their offer. The contracting authority will transport the vehicles to the contractor’s location at its own expense.
- Alternatively, the contracting authority allows the service to be carried out at a military unit designated by the contracting authority, which will provide a maintenance bay with an overhead crane. The contractor must supply all necessary tools to carry out the service, including but not limited to:
- Lifting sling for dismounting the Leopard 1 tank’s powertrain unit
- MES special hydraulic toolset
- Nitrogen bottles with pressure regulator
- Fire suppression system testing device
- MES 2 device for external engine start-up
- Testing device for smoke grenade launchers
- The service must be performed by specialists who hold the required authorizations relevant to the subject of the contract.
The Polish Armed Forces currently operate 28 Bergepanzer 2 armored recovery vehicles acquired from Germany alongside used Leopard 2 tanks in two separate tranches: 10 vehicles delivered together with 128 Leopard 2A4 tanks in 2002, and an additional 18 vehicles delivered in 2013 along with 105 Leopard 2A5 tanks and 14 more Leopard 2A4s.
On September 21, 2017, the then-Armament Inspectorate of the Ministry of National Defence launched a program to modernize 8 of the vehicles (with an option for the remaining 20) to the Bergepanzer PL standard between 2018 and 2022. That effort was later abandoned in favor of procuring 29 tracked armored recovery vehicles under the codename Kajman, with an option for an additional 37 units, as announced on June 25, 2020. Subsequently, on November 25, 2022, it was reported that a single bid had been submitted by Rheinmetall Polska together with Rheinmetall Landsysteme. However, the procedure was canceled on February 17, 2023.
In addition to the Bergepanzer 2, the Polish Armed Forces still operate a number of older WZT-2 and WZT-3M ARVs, which are being gradually phased out. Meanwhile, deliveries are underway for 38 M88A2 HERCULES (Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System) vehicles, 26 of which were ordered alongside 250 M1A2SEPv3 Abrams tanks, and another 12 with the 116 M1A1FEP Abrams tanks.
A new type of ARV is also expected to be part of a planned second agreement with Hyundai Rotem, which would include an additional 180 K2/K2PL main battle tanks and 81 support vehicles.
