A defense ministry source in Poland confirmed a contract with the French firm CNIM for 13 PFM Ponts Flottants Motorisés, motorized floating bridge parks, worth 331 million dollars to equip the country’s armed forces.
The agreement contemplates full fulfillment by the end of 2026. If completed, Poland would receive a license to produce PFMs, along with spare parts provisioning and training for maintenance personnel. An additional portion of about 200 million dollars would cover licensing, maintenance, and repair of the equipment.
Officials described PFM as a means for Polish armor to surmount water obstacles either directly or from wheeled platforms. The defense ministry stated that this self-propelled bridge contract represents the largest armored engineering acquisition since Poland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The PFM system can carry 70 tons for tracked vehicles and up to 96 tons for wheeled vehicles.
Poland is a nation with many rivers and streams that cross its territory and neighboring regions. On Poland’s eastern border, the West Bug River traverses Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. Historical campaigns have tested crossings here, including wartime operations that involved river crossings. In the northeast of Poland and western Belarus there is the Narew River, a tributary of the Vistula, which sometimes affects logistical planning for land operations. Poland’s planners have noted a need for versatile crossing capabilities when barriers arise across major waterways.
Military analysts caution that riverine barriers can shape any future actions in the region, and the pontoon system is viewed as a vital tool not only for moving heavy equipment but also for resupplying ammunition across water obstacles.
The existing pontoon park, known as PP-64 Wstęga or Band, had roots in Soviet-era designs adapted by Polish engineers. It was originally engineered to support lighter tanks and has limitations with heavier modern tanks. Contemporary pontoon parks, by contrast, have been designed to accommodate heavier platforms, aligning with the weight profiles of modern main battle tanks. Observers note that Poland has long sought an upgraded solution and engaged in an international tender process that began in 2018, with CNIM of France ultimately selected after a rigorous approval phase.
Officials point out that the development of an updated cross-river system is part of a broader effort to strengthen Poland’s engineering troops. Historical deployments show that pontoon capabilities have been a strategic factor in crossing wide rivers and sustaining momentum in mobile operations. Experts emphasize that modern RFM pontoons enable crossings up to about 100 meters and are capable of supporting Leopards and Abrams tanks, which exceed 60 tons, thus expanding operational options for crossing major waterways. While certain river routes are naturally impassable, these assets offer practical methods for sustaining riverine maneuvers in suitable theaters of operation.
Analysts note that Poland pursued an update to its pontoon fleet after evaluating domestic alternatives and engaging in international competition. The process involved several years of planning and evaluation before CNIM won the contract, and the program is intended to be integrated into a longer-term modernization plan for the nation’s heavy-lift and bridging capabilities.
Historically, Poland relied on ferry and bridge regiments during different phases of its military history. The evolution of pontoon units has reflected shifts in bridging technology and the strategic emphasis on ensuring that heavy armor can be maneuvered across water obstacles when land routes are disrupted. As one analyst observed, the new French-designed pontoons could extend the reach of bridging operations and bolster the ability to cross wide waterways with tanks of modern weight classes, thereby enhancing operational flexibility in a range of contingencies.