Poland Seeks PGMs For Krab and K9 Howitzers

In the document published on Friday, 19th July, the Armament Agency announced that it intends to obtain information on potential contractors, suppliers, and users, and also technical, usability, training, and logistics-related know-how, tied to the acquisition of PGMs. The possible meeting of the Agency’s requirements specified by Appendix No. 1 is of particular interest, along with the logistics involved, funds associated with procurement and LCC, as well as the security of deliveries.

No specifics were provided when it comes to the guidance systems or the warhead of the projectile. One may assume that the goal is not to shortlist what is available on the market, for specific purposes (anti-tank, guided munitions), but rather obtain information on any type of enhanced accuracy munitions (compared to standard, dumb munitions). The required performance has not been hinted at in questions asked to the potential bidders in Appendix No. 1.

This means that the list of potential bidders may be quite lengthy. The best-known ones include:

• BAE Systems Bofors and RTX offering the GPS/INS guided M982 Excalibur PGM;
• BAE Systems Bofors and KNDS France, offering the Bonus guided anti-tank rounds;
• Diehl and Rheinmetall with SMArt 155 guided anti-tank rounds;
• KNDS France (Formerly Nexter Arrowtech) with INS/GPS-guided KATANA PGMs;
• Leonardo with INS/GPS-guided Vulcano GLR PGMs, with optional laser guidance;
• ZM Mesko and CRW Telesystem-Mesko with APR 155 laser-guided round, derived from the Ukrainian Kvitnyk munitions designed by the "Progres" design bureau.

Interestingly, not only do the Appendix No. 1 questions apply to matters such as the performance, technicalities, tactical parameters, maintenance requirements, logistics, and training, but also to possible localization of the manufacturing processes.

The information applies to munitions, not the components. If the Armament Agency is interested in components, such as fuses with a trajectory adjustment kit (like the M1156 Precision Guidance Kit manufactured by Northrop Grumman), they would be covered by a separate dialogue and procurement process.

The submissions will be accepted by 31st August this year. The consultancy alone will be carried out in September, but the duration of the process may be extended, should a need as such emerge.