Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the Ministry of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak on Tuesday approved a framework contract for the supply of nearly 1,400 new vehicles for the army, including nearly 1,000 Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles and associated vehicles. “This is a historic project, an order that will be carried out at Huta Stalowa Wola” – emphasized the minister
The new vehicles are supposed to replace the BWP-1 vehicles built in the USSR. The first four ties will be delivered this year. In addition to the Dassen, the contract in the combat variant provides for orders for reconnaissance, command, medical evacuation, technical security and contamination reconnaissance vehicles.
The approval of the framework agreement for the purchase of Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles for the needs of the Polish army was described by one of the Internet portals as the largest project in the history of the Polish defense industry in 50 years. And that’s how you can judge it, it’s all we’ve just seen
– said Błaszczak to Huta Stalowa Wola on Tuesday.
The deputy prime minister stressed that HSW is a “strong brand” today, producing high-quality weapons that are “battle-proven”. He recalled that the recipient of armaments of Stalowa Wola is also the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The head of the Ministry of National Defense said that the Technical Modernization Board has approved the design of a vehicle heavier than Borsuk, which uses the chassis of the Krab self-propelled howitzer and the ZSSW-30 unmanned gun turret used in Borsuk. The first four badgers will be delivered this year to the 16th Mechanized Division, whose units are deployed in northeastern Poland. The heavier vehicle will be delivered to the 18th Mechanized Division, which will be armed with Abrams tanks.
I hope that the Polish army will be equipped with new infantry fighting vehicles in a very short time
said the minister.
The time of the infantry fighting vehicle, which is still used in the Polish army, is over, now the era of the Borsuk IFV has come
– said Minister Blaszczak.
The first four badgers will be delivered this year to the 16th Mechanized Division, whose units are deployed in northeastern Poland.
Błaszczak pointed out that the Polish military is very quickly moving away from post-Soviet weapons and focusing on armaments that are modern and in line with NATO standards. He thanked Borsuk constructors, among others. According to him, the design of this vehicle will revolutionize the equipment of the Polish army.
The deputy prime minister recalled that “as a rule” the government orders weapons from Polish factories and supplements them with purchases of weapons from the US and South Korea.
It should be emphasized that these weapons are compatible and interoperable
Blaszczak added.
The head of the Ministry of National Defense announced that the Ministry of Defense is launching an information campaign “Strong and modern army, secure Poland”, presenting the achievements of the government in 2015.
Since the takeover of power by the PiS government, when Andrzej Duda became president. This is a time of breakthrough, this is a time of fundamental changes when it comes to tackling defense, the security of our homeland. An example of this change is also everything that happened in Stalowa Wola, in Huta Stalowa Wola – the dynamic development of these plants
Blaszczak said.
“Technological leap for the military”
The president of PGZ, Sebastian Chwałek, stressed that the decision to close approx. The Borsuk IFV is a breakthrough in decisions on the modernization of the Polish army.
This is a technological leap forward for the military, for the defense of the state
he assessed. According to Chwałek, the decision to buy Borsuks increases the potential of the Polish defense industry and also provides stable jobs in Polish factories.
The chairman of PGZ reminded that HSW already had eg Krab howitzers and Rak mortar.
This plant has great potential, we will continue to develop it
Chwalek said.
BORSUK – the resort offers DETAILS
According to the Ministry of National Defense, BORSUK IFV is equipped with a remote controlled turret system (ZSSW-30). The crew consists of 3 soldiers: commander, weapons operator and driver. The vehicle has the ability to engage infantry, armored vehicles or air targets.
We read that BORSUK is characterized by high mobility and the ability to overcome terrain obstacles, including water obstacles.
The ministry emphasizes that a very important part of the BORSUK IFV is the ZSSW-30 remote-controlled turret system developed by Huta Stalowa Wola together with WB Electronics, whose main armament is the Bushmaster Mk.44S automatic cannon. Auxiliary armament, integrated with the turret, is a modified 7.62mm UKM-2000C machine gun coupled to the gun. Additional armament is also a dual launcher of guided anti-tank missiles.
READ ALSO: Prime Minister Morawiecki: “We keep our word. Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak today announces an order for more than 1,000 Borsuk combat vehicles.
olk/PAP/Twitter
Source: wPolityce