To meet the current combat conditions and replace the old BWP-1 combat vehicle
Poland launches a new generation infantry fighting vehicle, the Borsuk
with the expectation of bringing high combat efficiency as well as features superior to the old infantry fighting vehicles
It is known that these vehicles were field tested by the Polish army at the Orzysz training ground on November 14, 2022
The tracked IFV was tested by soldiers of the 15th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Polish Army
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak emphasized that the Borsuk will be the main combat vehicle of the 15th Mechanized Brigade
next to the K2 main battle tank purchased from Korea
Borsuk is an armored infantry fighting vehicle manufactured by Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW)
Development of this vehicle began in 2014 and the first version was unveiled in September 2017 at the Polish Defense Exhibition
Borsuk weighs 25 tons, when equipped with additional armor, it can be up to 40 tons
The vehicle has a length of 7.5 m, a width of 3.5 m and a height of 2.7 m
Borsuk IFV is equipped with basic armor, capable of protecting against shell fragments and mine blasts
In addition, Borsuk can also install other armor layers depending on requirements and tasks
The layout of the Borsuk is divided into three main sections with the driver's position in the front left
a turret mounted in the middle, and the troop compartment at the rear
The vehicle's combat crew has 3 people including: driver, gunner and commander
It can also carry up to 8 fully armed soldiers
Borsuk is based on a tracked chassis developed and manufactured entirely in Poland
The vehicle uses a MTU 8V199 TE20 diesel engine with a capacity of 720 horsepower, allowing it to travel at a speed of 70 km/h, a range of 600 km
When overcoming water obstacles, the IFV can develop a speed of up to 8 km/h
The Borsuk is fitted with a remotely-controlled turret, which was developed under the ZSSW-30 program
It is armed with a 30 mm cannon
There is a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and two Spike LR anti-tank guided missile launchers
The turret has a modern fire control system with a hunter-killer capability
The ZSSW-30 turret has been developed as a separate program
Due to an on-board weapon system, the infantry fighting vehicle has the ability to fight infantry, armored vehicles
air targets and other objects in all weather conditions and at any time of the day
It is estimated that a single Borsuk IFV could cost around $6.6 million
Cost of the Polish remotely-controlled turret would constitute almost 50% of the vehicle value
After the test program, the military will give the designers of the combat vehicle their comments on ergonomics and use of equipment
The successful completion of the state tests will initiate negotiations on the launch of serial production and the conclusion of contracts
for the supply of Borsuk IFVs for the Armed Forces of Poland