Polish Consortium will Build a New Infantry Fighting Vehicle
PUBLISHED AT: Thursday, 27 November 2014, 9:22
The new IFVs are to replace the BWP-1, currently used by Polish Army. Photo: kpt. Dariusz Kudlewski/10 Brygada Kawalerii Pancernej.
Jakub Palowski
[email protected]
Stalowa Wola Ironworks (Huta Stalowa Wola S.A.), along with its consortium partners, has concluded an agreement with the National Research & Development centre, regarding execution of a new development programme, which would aim at creating a new amphibious IFV.
The agreement is related to execution of the R&D stage named “New amphibious infantry fighting vehicle”. As it is stressed by the SWI press department, the new platform is to, within its basic assumption, constitute the basic ingredient of the future battalion modules of the Army.
The design specifications assume constructing a vehicle which would have a capability of destroying main battle tanks, which is to be achieved by using an unmanned turret developed by the SWI. The turret is to be equipped with a launcher of guided anti-tank missiles, along with a 30 – 40 mm cannon.
The new IFV is to be amphibious and is to have good mobility capabilities in a variety of climatic conditions and terrain. Its structure is to provide a proper level of ballistic and anti-mine protection. Using an active defensive system developed within another project is also planned.
The chassis of the new IFV is to be a basic element of specialised variants, such as self-propelled 120 mm mortar, command, reconnaissance or technical support vehicles. The new IFVs are to be capable of transporting an infantry team and destroying armoured and non-armoured targets at night and during the day.
HSW S.A. is the leader of the consortium, consisting of the following subjects: ROSOMAK S.A., Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne S.A. [Military Automotive Works], Wojskowe Zakłady Elektroniczne S.A. [Military Electronic Works], Wojskowe Zakłady Inżynieryjne S.A. [Military Engineering Works], Wojskowy Instytut Techniki Pancernej i Samochodowej [Military Institute of Armoured and Automotive Technology], Ośrodek Badawczo Rozwojowy Urządzeń Mechanicznych - OBRUM Sp. z o.o. [OBRUM Sp. z o.o. Center for Research and Development of Mechanical Devices], Military University of Technology, National Defence University and Warsaw University of Technology.
