New Borsuk Fighting Amphibious Infantry Vehicle (Nowy Pływający Bojowy Wóz Piechoty), abbreviated NBPWP
The Borsuk (Badger) is a new Polish Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). It was designed to replace the BWP-1 IFV. Essentially these are redesignated Soviet BMP-1 IFVs. Most of them were obtained from the Soviet Union, while some were locally produced under license. The BWP-1 is obsolete. These vehicles were produced somewhere in between 1966 and 1988 but still form the backbone of the Polish Army's mechanized battalions. Polish Army is gradually modernizing its inventory. However there is still no proper modern replacement for its BWP-1. There was a proposed upgrade program in order to improves capabilities of these ageing IFVs. Also a number of modernized variations of the BWP-1 were introduced in Poland over the years, including the BWP-40, BWP-95 and BWP-1M Puma. A proposed BWP-2000 IFV was cancelled in the late 1990s. There was also a proposed BWP-1M Puma upgrade program, which was also cancelled in 2009. In 2013 it was planned that most BWP-1s will be retired between 2018 and 2021. So the Borsuk was another attempt to create a modern Polish IFV. A consortium was formed by OBRUM and Polish Defense Holding. However in 2013 development was transferred to another consortium led by Huta Stalowa Wola.
NBPWP with ZSSW-30 turret on it, developed within the framework of the BORSUK programme, passed static, dynamic and amphibious tests without any issues. The new vehicle is to be capable of passing over wide water obstacles. Borsuk has also been designed to be able to operate in varied terrain and weather conditions. Furthermore, the vehicle is to exhibit high maneuverability. It is to be easily transportable as well. Borsuk’s basic design assumption is that it shall protect its crew and carried troops from small arms fire and anti-tank grenades, mines and IEDs. It is going to be developed in several variants - from amphibious one to a heavy armoured vehicle.
This Polish IFV has a modular armor which can be tailored depending on requirements.
The Borsuk has significant protection against mine blasts and improvised explosive devices.
The offer of the Polish industry deserves to be called a very valuable and promising one. The Polish state has invested over PLN 75 million in this program, which is around USD 20 million. For this amount, only 4-5 years from the start of design work in Stalowej Woli, the main stages of development work were completed, including the implementation of the NBPWP prototype consisting of a chassis and a remotely controlled tower system (ZSSW-30).
The unmanned tower project was carried out separate. The Polish government has invested about PLN 88 million, or about USD 23 million, in R&D for the ZSSW-30 unmanned tower. Tough ZSSW-30 is a standalone drone tower program not only for Borsuk, but also for Rosomak and other possible platforms.
The Borsuk amphibious IFV is fitted with remotely operated weapon station ZSSW-30 jointly developed by the Polish companies WB Electronics and HSW. The main armament of this turret consists of one Mk44 BUSHMASTER II 30 mm automatic cannon, one coaxial 7.62mm machine model UKM-2000 and two SPIKE-LR anti-tank missiles launchers mounted on the right side of the turret.
The Borsuk is based on a new tracked armored chassis developêd by the Polish defense industry with the engine at the front, turret in the middle, and crew compartment at the rear. The hull and the turret will provide a high level of protection against ballistic threats as well as Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPG) and the blast of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) explosion.
Polish industry for the project have been built 3 vehicles so far, a pre prototype (model), 1st prototype which was used for ballistic tests, and 2nd prototype currently conduct factory trials. Through entire 2021 vehicle will go through initial factory trails. In 2022 it will go through state/military qualification trails, if successfull, 2023/2024 contract will be signed and manufacturing phase will commence.
It is also confirmed by HSW, that they are working on heavy IFV, so called "Heavy Borsuk", but at the moment no details had been provided.
