Industry
Eurosatory 2024: Polish Borsuk IFV To Be Premiered in Paris
Photo. Leszek Chemperek / CO MON / Flickr
Borsuk IFV will be rolled out during the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition in Paris, Defence24.pl found out. This will be the first demonstration of the new Polish IFV at this key trade fair. It will also mark the first public appearance of this vehicle outside Poland.
In response to questions from Defence24.com, the PGZ Group has confirmed that Borsuk IFV will be showcased at the PGZ’s stand, during Eurosatory 2024. This will therefore be the first presentation of a new Polish amphibious infantry fighting vehicle at a trade fair outside Poland. What also remains relevant is that instead of a prototype, or model, one of the existing, operational IFVs used by the Polish Army would be sent to the show in Paris.
The NBPWP Borsuk (Borsuk new amphibious IFV) has been developed within the framework of a project undertaken by the National Centre for Research and Development, pursued by a consortium led by HSW - the project was launched in 2014. Deputy Minister of Defence, Paweł Bejda, recently told Defence24.pl: “In April 2024, the technical portion of checks regarding the Borsuk IFV prototype was finalized, as a part of the Qualification Tests Programme. The test results obtained so far show that the prototype meets the requirements tied to the amphibious capacity, offroad mobility, and IED/mine protection. Relevant remarks and observations are forwarded to the Contractor for implementation. The Qualification Tests and the implemented modifications will have a major impact on the decision regarding the final configuration of the platform”.
The first four Borsuk IFVs have already been delivered to a military unit where they would undergo testing in a systemic environment. The demonstration of the well-tested, Polish IFV in Paris, scheduled to happen at the biggest fair devoted (primarily) to land warfare, may result in foreign interest in the acquisition of that platform.
PGZ will also showcase a broad range of Maskpol’s protective equipment, ZM Tarnów and FB Radom firearms, and PCO night-vision systems. Bystra radar, Poprad SHORAD system, Krab howitzers, Rak mortars, munitions and explosives, will also be demonstrated in Paris, in the form of models.
The Borsuk IFV is a new, amphibious infantry fighting vehicle, weighing ca. 28 tonnes. The vehicle’s design fuses proper levels of ballistic/IED/mine protection, good handling properties and manoeuvrability, and amphibious capabilities.
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 upgraded headroom. The FCS may be enhanced by AI, and the turret may also be integrated with different ATGMs.
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 carries 3 crewmembers, and 6 soldiers in the troop compartment. Specialized vehicles are also expected to be developed, based on the Borsuk platform.