Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and BAE Systems signed a memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation for combat and recovery vehicles. The companies are establishing a strategic relationship to provide the M88 Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV) and other combat vehicle solutions to the Polish Armed Forces, if requested and agreed, to support their Abrams-based heavy brigades. Both BAE Systems and PGZ will expand the scope of their cooperation to support Polish Armed Forces modernization projects and work toward securing critical capabilities of life-cycle support in Polish defense industry facilities. The main area of cooperation is the M88 Armored Recovery Vehicle program, which is a key part of the M1A2 Abrams tank procurement program announced by the Polish Ministry of National Defence earlier this year. The M88A2 recovery vehicle answers the need for a cost-effective, self-supporting 70-ton capable recovery system for armored units.
Jeremy Tondreault, President of BAE Systems’ Platforms & Services sector said: “Today’s agreement underscores an important milestone in our developing industrial cooperation partnership with PGZ and demonstrates our commitment to delivering critical capabilities to support Poland’s defense modernization efforts. The M88 program now gives us the opportunity to deliver localization of sustainment services to Poland. We look forward to delivering the best, most capable recovery and battlefield solutions to equip Poland’s Land Forces with the modern, proven NATO platforms necessary to preserve European stability.”
Sebastian Chwalek, President of the Management Board of PGZ said: “We’re committed to increasing the value and scope of our strategic partnership with every company that’s involved in Polish Armed Forces technical modernization programs. BAE Systems has secured a major foothold within our Land Forces with the M88 ARVs and we’re working on securing a fruitful relationship, which will provide high-quality services for our soldiers as well as new capabilities for our facilities.”
The other combat vehicle solution included within the scope of the memorandum is the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV). BAE Systems’ AMPVs are a family of next-generation, highly-survivable combat vehicles which provide substantial protection, mobility, reliability, and interoperability to their users. The AMPV will be integrated with the U.S. Army’s Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) and is tailored to operate seamlessly alongside the M1A2 Abrams tanks. The memorandum between BAE Systems, one of the world’s largest defense and security solution providers, and PGZ, a holding company uniting Polish state-owned defense industry companies, underlines the progress of industrial cooperation between the United States and Poland, creating greater synergy across a variety of projects.
