Poland Commits to Major Expansion of Borsuk IFV Fleet with New $2.1 Billion Contract

Poland is significantly accelerating its land forces modernization initiative with a substantial increase in the procurement of the domestically developed Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). Warsaw has officially signed a new contract, valued at approximately $2.1 billion, for the production and delivery of an additional 146 Borsuk tracked armored fighting vehicles (AFVs).

The manufacturing of these advanced platforms will be undertaken by a consortium formed by Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), with deliveries scheduled for completion by 2030. This latest order elevates Poland’s firm commitments for Borsuk vehicles to a total of 257 units, underscoring the program’s strategic importance as one of the nation’s most significant land platform investments in recent years. This new agreement follows an initial serial production contract, which encompassed 111 Borsuk vehicles. The cumulative order for 257 vehicles is intended to equip four mechanized infantry battalions, with a dedicated portion set aside for training and strategic reserves.

A broader, long-term framework agreement, ratified in February 2023, outlines a more ambitious vision, projecting the acquisition of approximately 1,400 Borsuk-based platforms. This comprehensive program is set to include a diverse array of specialized variants, such as infantry combat vehicles, command and control (C2), reconnaissance, engineering support, and armored recovery vehicles.

The Borsuk represents a pivotal achievement as Poland’s first indigenously designed and produced tracked armored fighting vehicle. Its primary mission is to systematically replace the aging fleet of Soviet-era BMP-1 AFVs currently in service with the Polish Land Forces. The vehicle has an approximate combat weight of 28 tons and is designed to accommodate a three-person crew alongside six fully equipped infantry soldiers. Powered by an MTU 720 horsepower diesel engine, the Borsuk is capable of reaching speeds of up to 65 km/h on land.

A distinguishing feature of the Borsuk is its advanced amphibious capability. Utilizing water jets, the vehicle can efficiently traverse rivers and other water obstacles, positioning it among the select few contemporary tracked IFVs in production worldwide with such inherent functionality.

Central to the Borsuk’s formidable combat system is the ZSSW-30 unmanned turret, a collaborative development by HSW and WB Group. This innovative unmanned architecture allows the crew to operate securely within the vehicle’s armored hull, rather than the turret, thereby significantly enhancing personnel protection and facilitating the seamless integration of sophisticated sensor systems. The turret is armed with a NATO-standard 30mm Mk44S Bushmaster II automatic cannon and is further augmented by two Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles. Its cutting-edge fire control system, supported by both day and thermal imaging sensors, ensures robust target detection and engagement capabilities across diverse operational environments, day or night, and in all weather conditions.

To meet the escalating demand, Huta Stalowa Wola is actively expanding its production facilities, with an ambitious target of achieving an annual output of approximately 100 vehicles by 2026. While initial deliveries of 15 Borsuk vehicles to Poland’s 15th Mechanized Brigade are anticipated by December 2025, this new contract guarantees that the production line will sustain a high operational tempo for the foreseeable future.

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