Zaklady Mechaniczne Bumar-Labedy S.A. (part of the Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa) launched the service work on T-64 tanks as a result of an agreement recently concluded by PGZ and the Ukrainian company UkrObronProm. Bumar Labedy and Ukroboronprom jointly established technical center for repair of T-64. Newly created capabilities are based on production premises of BL. Accordingly, the agreement stipulates that Ukrainian T-64 tanks will be serviced and restored at factories in Gliwice. The choice of Bumar-Labedy as the partner of this contract results from its extensive experience in servicing and modernizing tanks of the T family, including the T-72 and PT-91. The agreement with UKROBRONPROM provides for cooperation in the field of repairs, overhauls, assembly, production and development of the supply chain of T-64 tanks along with other elements of the technological process.
We are grateful to our Polish partners for their help in increasing the volume of armored vehicles for the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine. For us, each such international agreement is an integration into the production chains of NATO member countries,”said General Director of Ukroboronprom Yuriy Husyev.
Our company is ready to create a hub for repairs of armoured equipment used by the Ukrainian army. We have over 70 years of experience in the field of production and repairs. Retrofitting and modernization of armoured equipment will provide a key help in maintaining the defensive capabilities of the Ukrainian army. Thanks to regular repair and service activities, the used vehicles will regain the required combat readiness,” said Edyta Szymanska, President of the Management Board of ZM “BUMAR-LABEDY” S.A.
In the long term, the plan is to extend cooperation to the service of T-72 and PT-91 tanks, transferred by Poland to the Ukrainian side. The possibility of joint maintenance with Ukroboronprom of tanks of the Leopard 2 family, transferred to Ukraine by the international armored coalition, is also being considered. The ongoing cooperation in the service of T-64 tanks is one of several examples of agreements in the broadly understood armoured topic concluded between the Polish and Ukrainian sides. During President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Poland, both parties signed an agreement on cooperation in the production of 125mm tank ammunition and a letter of intent on the sale of Rosomak wheeled armoured personnel carriers to the Ukrainians.
Bumar-Labedy is an arms manufacturer based in the Polish part of Upper Silesia. It is a division of the Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ SA). Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa SA comprises over 30 companies and the headquarters of this group is in Radom. The company is the biggest Polish defence enterprise. Ukrainian Defense Industry (UkrOboronProm) is an association of multi-product enterprises (conglomerate or concern) in various sectors of the defence industry of Ukraine. The company has ceased most of its activities across Ukraine since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and has relocated much of its production abroad during the war. On 6 April, Ukroboronprom announced that it would start manufacturing 125mm tank rounds with Polish state defence company Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa.