Polish Ministry of National Defence Conducts Test of Borsuk Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle

The Borsuk tracked infantry fighting vehicle has been tested by the Polish Army 15th Gi?ycko Mechanised Brigade “Zawisza Czarny. As part of a modernization of Polish Army, Poland has launched a program to replace its old BWP-1 tracked infantry fighting vehicle. One of the contenders is the Borsuk, a Polish-made tracked IFV that carried out field tests at the training ground in Orzysz on November 14, 2022. Mariusz B?aszczak, Polish Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense emphasized that as part of the equipment’s modernization process, “Borsuk” are to be the primary equipment of the 15th Mechanized Brigade, next to the order from South Korean K2 main battle tanks.

The Borsuk (Badger) is manufactured by a consortium led by Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), a subsidiary of Polish Armaments Group (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, PGZ). The Borsuk tracked infantry fighting vehicle will feature a composite rubber track (CRT) system supplied by Soucy Defense. Each track will integrate a continuously cased rubber band structure made of composite materials and steel cord. The CRT system will reduce vibrations and weight when compared to conventional steel tracks. The hull of the infantry fighting vehicles can be configured into multiple versions such as infantry fighting vehicle, command post vehicle, and medical evacuation vehicle. The serial production of the Borsuk is anticipated to commence in 2024.

The Borsuk is fitted with a remotely-controlled turret, which was developed under the ZSSW-30 remote-controlled turret system (RCTS) 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 by HSW and WB Electronics, making it the first indigenously manufactured unmanned tower construction. The turret is equipped with independent biaxially-stabilised observation devices and a standby observation device with a wide-angle periscope. It also integrates an OBRA-3 SSP-1 laser radiation detection system, eight smoke grenade launchers, and a FONET internal communication system.

The Borsuk is powered by a MTU 8V199 TE20 diesel engine, which has a rated power of 530kW (720bhp). The power-pack for the Borsuk was indigenously developed by Wojskowe Zak?ady Motoryzacyjne. It integrates engine, gearbox, and power supply components. Initial variant of the Boruk was fully amphibious. It was also planned that the baseline variant will weight around 25 t and there will be a more heavily armored variant with a combat weight of over 40 t and without amphibious capability. The amphibious vehicle is propelled in the water by two water jets mounted at the rear side of the hull. The vehicle is also designed to easily overcome all types of water obstacles and operate in difficult terrains and harsh weather conditions.