Polish MoD in Negotiations to Procure the ZSSW Unmanned Turret

When it comes to the ZSSW-30 turret, we have completed the preliminary and qualification test programmes with a success. I do not want to speak about the details, but I can say that an invitation has been sent to entities that would decide on conditions and price that would be associated with this agreement so that we can modernize the Polish Armed Forces so that we have equipment at our disposal of previously unavailable capabilities. This description probably matches the ZSSW system. (...) Until the negotiation comes to an end, I will not be able to disclose any details. I can only promise that an efficient negotiation process would create a possibility to fit unmanned turrets on Rosomak vehicles that are ready to receive them
COL. ARTUR KUPTEL, PHD, HEAD OF THE ARMAMENT INSPECTORATE

The head of the Armament Inspectorate discussed this topic at the Polish parliament. One needs to add that the above most probably refers to an invitation to a negotiation process, as the turret is developed within the framework of the Basic National Security Interest procedure. The ZSSW-30 turret has been developed as a result of an R&D study pursued by a consortium led by HSW, with support provided by WB Electronics. First, the said turret system is to be fitted onto the Rosomak APCs that are going to be commissioned.

The turret features a 30 mm Bushmaster Mk 44/S gun that can shoot ABM ammunition and be converted to a 40 mm calibre. It is also armed with a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and dual Spike ATGM launcher. The turret also features an advanced fire control system with an auto tracker, and two optronic systems for the gunner, and the commander (hunter-killer/killer-killer solution). The framework agreement related to the delivery of turrets, accompanying the development study, has been recently expanded, from 208 to 341 examples. We were told by the Operational Center of the Polish Ministry of Defence that the turrets would be received by "five military units". The increased number of APCs is directly tied to the establishment of the 18th Mechanized Division. First, the turrets would be fitted onto base Rosomak APCs that currently remain at disposal of the Polish Armed Forces. The Polish military currently has around 100 vehicles as such available. Procurement of extra vehicles would be required then, to complete the work on the contract.

The talks on the potential inclusion of the PGZ Group, and the Rosomak S.A. company in the consortium are a result of the above intention. Here, a certain challenge emerges. The standard engines that the base APCs used are no longer manufactured now. A necessity would emerge to procure the XP variant of Rosomak or modify the existing, standard variant, by installing a new engine. Notably, Rosomak S.A. has already acquired its XP license.

One needs to remember that the ZSSW turrets, so far, are not expected to replace the Hitfist systems that some of the Rosomak vehicles feature. The APC battalions using such vehicles have poor anti-tank capabilities, with a minor quantity of Spike-LR launchers. The initiative to integrate the ATGMs with the Hitfist turret has been abandoned, a few years back. Thus, reinforcement of the anti-tank capabilities of the aforesaid units shall be viewed as relevant. This could be done by delivery of more, portable ATGM systems, and/or modernization of the Hitfist turrets through the integration of ATGMs. Alternatively, the Hitfist-30P turrets could also be replaced by ZSSW-30. The latter turret, following relevant modifications, is also to be installed on the prospective Borsuk IFV platform