As reported by Defense 24 on January 31, 2025, Poland is in the final stages of negotiations for a procurement contract covering up to 1,400 Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), including combat and specialized variants. Deputy Minister of National Defense Paweł Bejda confirmed that discussions with the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) are near completion, with an agreement expected shortly. The contract follows a series of tests and evaluations aimed at replacing the aging Soviet-era fleet.
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Poland could soon purchase up to 1,400 Borsuk vehicles, including 1,000 combat IFVs and 400 specialized support vehicles, with deliveries scheduled to be completed by 2035. (Picture source: PGZ)
The Borsuk program was initiated in 2014 as part of Poland’s modernization strategy for its mechanized forces. A demonstrator was presented in 2017, followed by successive prototype improvements. Factory tests began in 2018, leading to military trials in 2020 and qualification tests in 2022. A framework agreement was signed in February 2023, outlining the procurement of 1,000 combat IFVs and 400 specialized support vehicles. The initial contract includes 159 units, with further contracts and deliveries scheduled to be completed by 2035.
The framework agreement includes specialized vehicles based on the Borsuk chassis, such as Żuk reconnaissance transporters, Oset command vehicles, Gotem medical evacuation vehicles, Gekon technical support vehicles, and Ares contamination reconnaissance vehicles. The overall cost of the procurement program is projected to be in the range of several dozen billion Polish zlotys.
Poland is acquiring the Borsuk to replace the BWP-1 IFVs, a variant of the Soviet-designed BMP-1. The first operational units were expected for delivery in 2024, with priority given to the 16th Pomeranian Mechanized Division. The Borsuk IFV is set to operate alongside Poland’s recently acquired main battle tanks, including the South Korean-origin K2GF and K2PL Black Panther tanks, U.S.-made M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams tanks, and the German Leopard 2PL M1. The Borsuk will also replace the BWP-1 and BWP-1D IFVs while complementing the new KTO Rosomak and Rosomak-L IFVs.
International interest in the Borsuk has been noted, with the Brazilian Army evaluating the vehicle for its VBC Fuz program, which seeks 78 tracked IFVs. Romania, which has allocated $3.3 billion for 298 IFVs, is considering the Borsuk alongside the ASCOD 2, Hanwha K21 Redback, and Rheinmetall KF-41 Lynx. In September 2024, PGZ representatives met with Romanian officials to discuss the Borsuk’s suitability for the country’s requirements, particularly its amphibious capabilities, which could be beneficial in Romania’s riverine terrain.
The Borsuk is an amphibious, tracked IFV equipped with the ZSSW-30 unmanned turret. It is armed with a 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster II chain gun, a UKM-2000C 7.62mm machine gun, and a twin launcher for Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles. The vehicle’s hull consists of steel reinforced with composite or ceramic armor plates, providing ballistic protection rated at STANAG 4569 Level 4 at the front and Level 3 on the sides. It is powered by an MTU 8V199 TE20 diesel engine delivering 720 horsepower, paired with a Perkins X300 gearbox.
The IFV has a top speed of 65 km/h on roads and 8 km/h in water. A hydropneumatic suspension system improves mobility across various terrain conditions. At MSPO 2024, a new self-propelled mortar variant was showcased, featuring the M69 Rak turret. The integration of different variants within the Borsuk platform aligns with Poland’s broader defense modernization efforts, which include acquiring new main battle tanks and IFVs to replace outdated equipment.
