Poland Expands Land Forces with the Borsuk Infantry Fighting Vehicle Program
Poland is advancing a major modernization of its land forces by planning to acquire roughly one thousand Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles. Led by a consortium of Polish firms headed by Huta Stalowa Wola, the initiative aims to deliver a modern tracked platform capable of performing across varied mission profiles. This move, reported by Defense Post and referenced by national defense officials, forms part of a broader plan to strengthen Poland’s deterrence and operational flexibility on the European battlefield.
The anticipated agreement between the Polish government and the industrial consortium is expected to be signed before the weekend. The Borsuk is designed to replace legacy infantry fighting systems and to supersede the older BWP-1 platform, the Polish variant of the Soviet BMP-1. The program represents a substantial modernization of Poland’s ground forces and a shift toward greater domestic design and production capabilities.
Officials cited by national outlets described the contract as a major milestone for Poland’s military industry and for the Polish Army, highlighting the strategic importance of domestic defense manufacturing. The development and deployment plan for the Borsuk has progressed since the consortium began work in 2014, with a formal demonstrator shown in 2017 and government trials completed in 2020. Operational testing, including live-fire exercises and tactical drills, began in November 2022, signaling growing readiness for wide-scale fielding.
Initially, Warsaw outlined a plan to field ten divisions of Borsuk vehicles, totaling about 588 units, with a production target set for 2022 and full deployment expected by 2035. Geopolitical developments, notably the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, prompted a reassessment of force structure and a revised objective that expanded the order to roughly 1,000 units. The decision aligns with a broader rise in defense spending and the commitment to bolster national security through the development and procurement of homegrown technologies.
The program aligns with Poland’s broader fiscal stance, including a notable rise in defense expenditure as a share of GDP in recent years. The push to invest in modern military hardware reflects a priority to ensure credible deterrence and rapid capability integration for evolving security challenges in Central and Eastern Europe. The Borsuk family will be offered in multiple configurations, with lighter versions designed for rapid deployment and mobility, and heavier variants capable of enhanced amphibious operations and complex mission support. These configurations are designed to operate across diverse environments and threat levels, reinforcing Poland’s stance on interoperability with allied forces and adaptability to different combat scenarios.
The Borsuk is equipped with a modern unmanned ZSSW-30 turret system and an automatic fire-control suite from WB Electronics. It houses a 30 mm Mk 44S Bushmaster cannon, paired with a 7.62 mm UKM-2000C machine gun, providing balanced firepower for infantry support and anti-armor tasks. The turret layout also includes a Spike LR anti-tank missile launcher with a maximum engagement range of about 5.5 kilometers, enhancing the platform’s stand-off capabilities against armored threats. This combination of sensors, weapons, and autonomous fire control is intended to improve first-round hit probability and mission survivability across different theaters of operation.
Financial coverage shows that Poland allocated sizable funds toward military modernization, with the 2023 budget reflecting substantial investments in equipment and missile systems. These allocations are part of a broader effort to ensure the armed forces have access to advanced platforms and precision-guided munitions, strengthening deterrence and rapid response capabilities. The overall program modernizes infantry fighting capabilities while stimulating domestic engineering and industrial activity, supporting jobs and long-term technological development within Poland and its key defense partners.
In summary, the Borsuk project marks a strategic upgrade for Poland’s land forces by delivering a modern, highly capable tracked vehicle that can operate alongside allied units and adapt to evolving operational requirements. The move signals a continued emphasis on self-reliance and industrial growth in Poland’s defense sector, with the Borsuk program serving as a flagship effort in advancing domestic aerospace and defense manufacturing while enhancing readiness and strategic depth across the Polish Army.
— End of summary — [Defense Post] [Poland Defense Ministry statements and defense budget context cited in national reporting]