Eurosatory 2024: Borsuk IFV on Its Way to Conquer Europe

As Defence24.pl reported earlier, as the first Polish outlet, that the new Polish platform would be premiered at the event in France. Borsuk is the key highlight of the Polish stand at Eurosatory. The vehicle developed by a consortium led by HSW S.A., within the framework of a project pursued by the National Centre for Research and Development, is showcased in its baseline IFV configuration, with the ZSSW-30 turret integrated with an ATGM launcher.

The first demonstration of the Borsuk IFV is happening a couple of months after the finalization of the technical portion of the qualification test programme. The conclusions drawn from that programme shall become a baseline for decisions regarding the final configuration of the series manufactured IFVs. The demand is huge. Framework Agreement concluded last year covers the procurement of around 1,400 vehicles, including more than 1,000 examples of the IFV, and other specialised platforms as well:

• Oset Command Vehicle;
• Żuk Tracked Reconnaissance Vehicle;
• Gekon ARV;
• Ares CRBN Reconnaissance Vehicle;
• 120 mm Rak self-propelled mortar;
• Gotem MEDEVAC Vehicle;
• Jodła GTRI Engineering Reconnaissance Vehicle;
• Jodła GTWI Engineering Vehicle;
• Jodła TMN Scattered Minelaying Platform;
• Jodła PTI Amphibious Engineering Vehicle.

It shall be expected that the development of specialist variants would begin when the manufacturing is launched already when it comes to the first Borsuk production lots expected to be received by the Mechanized Units. Four IFVs procured within the framework of the project pursued by the National Centre for Research and Development have been delivered already, to launch a systemic environment test programme at the military unit.

The vehicle’s combat weight is around 28 tonnes, it is operated by a crew of 3 and can transport a 6-person infantry squad. The platform offers high levels of ballistic, and mine/IED protection, also with amphibious capacity and a high level of offroad mobility. The Borsuk IFV is powered by a powerpack developed at WZM-Poznan, featuring the 720 HP MTU 8V 199 TE20 diesel engine, allowing the platform to attain a top speed of up to 65 kph on hardened surfaces.

Borsuk has been outfitted with the ZSSW-30 remotely controlled turret system. The remotely controlled turret features a 30 mm Mk 44S Bushmaster cannon, coaxial 7.62 mm UKM-2000C general-purpose machine gun, and a dual Spike-LR/LR2 ATGM launcher unit. The ZSSW-30 turret is also operated as the primary weapons system on the Polish Rosomak APC. It has been developed by a consortium formed by HSW and WB Electronics. The turret features an advanced fire control system, as well as Polish optoelectronic sensors designed and made by PCO, available to the commander, and the gunner. The ZSSW-30 turret offers upgrade headroom. The FCS may be enhanced by AI, and the turret may also be integrated with different ATGMs.

The Borsuk IFV premiere at Eurosatory is one of a few examples of a demonstration of a full-size, actual platform developed by the Polish industry at this international event. This may also entail an opportunity to gain the interest of potential export users. Not only may they be interested in procurement of a complete platform, but they could also be inclined to acquire license, or individual components of the IFV - like the ZSSW-30 turret. Let us hope that Polish defence industry products will become permanently present during important, international events like Eurosatory.