Defense24 reports that Warsaw is pursuing enhancements to the mobility of heavily armored vehicles by crossing water barriers. The plan centers on expanding the army’s crossing capabilities with a dedicated fleet that can reliably bridge gaps in rivers and other water obstacles, a critical factor in sustaining armored operations across diverse terrain.
Poland intends to acquire a batch of 13 PFM pontoon bridge systems from the French firm CNIM by late 2026. The total investment is estimated at 331 million dollars, which roughly breaks down to 25.4 million dollars per set. The agreement encompasses a license transfer, ongoing supply of spare parts, and comprehensive training services to ensure crews can operate and maintain the equipment effectively in field conditions.
The proposed PFM fleet is envisioned as a replacement for the older PP-64 pontoon bridges that have served in masked roles for years. The shift signals a modernization impulse aimed at accelerating bridge-building operations under fire and in challenging environments, enabling the rapid repositioning of armored formations and support units without needing permanent structures.
Each French kit is capable of constructing a bridge multiple configurations. It can assemble a single bridge up to 100 meters in length, or configure two ferries that offer substantial carrying capacity. For tracked vehicles, the ferries can support 70 tons, while wheeled vehicles can leverage 96 tons of capacity, opening avenues for maintaining mobility across streams, canals, and shallow rivers that previously stalled movement.
In a public release, the former Ministry of Defense presented a video illustrating vehicles moving across a pontoon steamer. The ministry emphasized that ensuring the viability of river crossings is a key element of ongoing operations in the broader security context. The narrative frames these crossings as part of a strategic initiative to push operations further south through the Kharkiv region, highlighting the logistical backbone required to sustain any expanded movement through contested areas.