Farewell to 50 years of IFVs. Now soldiers will receive Polish Badgers.

The first units of the new Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle will be delivered to the Polish Army later this year. This marks the beginning of a process that will lead to the replacement of over 900 BWP-1s – a design dating back to the 1970s – with modern, fully Polish-built vehicles. Thanks to its high mine protection and modular design, the Borsuk is expected to become the foundation of mechanized units for decades to come.

The Borsuk program began in 2014 and expanded in subsequent years with new prototypes undergoing factory and military testing. The Borsuk IFV is a vehicle based on the Universal Modular Tracked Platform (UMPG), equipped with a remotely controlled turret system, and crewed by three soldiers: commander, weapons operator, and driver. It is designed to transport six soldiers to the battlefield while providing an appropriate level of protection, as well as to support infantry units using on-board weapons.

"The project has now entered a new phase. We're now in the mass production phase. Ten years of hard work on the project were spent. First, a single prototype was created, then an experimental vehicle, then four more prototypes for training and research, and then two units with an alternative powertrain," Agnieszka Czuba-Pytlos, project manager for the Ratel CBWP project at Huta Stalowa Wola, told the Newseria agency. "The Borsuk is intended to be the successor to the BWP-1. We want this to happen as soon as possible, and of course, this is also a matter for our client, and negotiations regarding further contracts will certainly be ongoing here."

Designed during the Cold War, BWP-1s have thin armor that protects only against small arms fire and offers no mine protection. Equipped with a 73 mm gun, the vehicles are unable to effectively combat modern tanks or drones, and their observation and communications systems are outdated. Previous attempts to modernize this equipment, such as the BWP-1M Puma variant, have been merely a bridge. Currently, the Polish Army has approximately 900 operational BWP-1s, so replacing them has become a key priority for technical modernization.

On March 27th of this year, the first executive agreement for the delivery of 111 Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, worth PLN 6.57 billion, was signed in Warsaw. This is part of a 2023 framework agreement that provides for the delivery of an entire family of specialized tracked vehicles based on a universal modular platform. A total of approximately 1,400 vehicles are to be acquired, including specialized vehicles: Żuk tracked reconnaissance vehicles, Oset command vehicles, Gotem medical evacuation vehicles, Gekon technical support vehicles, and Ares contamination reconnaissance vehicles.

"The project for a new amphibious infantry fighting vehicle is co-financed by the National Centre for Research and Development. We operate in a consortium of 10 entities, with HSW as its leader," emphasizes Agnieszka Czuba-Pytlos.

Deliveries are scheduled for 2025-2029. The contract also includes a training and logistics package, among other things. The Badgers are currently undergoing commission-approval inspections.

"We've already passed the test runs, we're finishing up the shooting, and then there will be swimming tests. We want to start soldier training in September, which will end in early November, and in December we'll hand over the Borsuk vehicles to the contractor," announces a HSW representative. "This year we're handing over 15 vehicles, three next year, and in the following years we'll hand over 33 and 55. We hope to begin negotiations on further contracts soon."

The Borsuk is the first all-Polish design of such a high degree of complexity. The vehicle weighs approximately 28 tons and can reach a speed of up to 65 km/h on land and 8 km/h in water. It can carry six airborne troops and a crew of three. It is equipped with an unmanned ZSSW-30 turret with a 30 mm cannon and Spike-LR anti-tank missiles, providing the ability to engage armored targets, drones, and low-flying helicopters.

"We can confidently say that this is an innovative product. Borsuks are designed for swimming, and are characterized by high maneuverability, agility, and a high level of ballistic and mine protection," emphasizes Agnieszka Czuba-Pytlos.

The modern character of the Borsuk is underscored by its integration with digital command and communication systems, as well as its hydropneumatic suspension, which provides mobility comparable to Western designs. Its modular design allows the same platform to be used as a base for command, medical, technical, and reconnaissance vehicles. The Ministry of National Defense expects over 350 such versions to be built, facilitating fleet unification and equipment maintenance.

In parallel, Poland is also developing a heavy infantry fighting vehicle (CBWP) program, known as the Ratel. Initial assumptions suggest the vehicle will weigh over 40 tons, carry more powerful armament, and offer crew protection comparable to tanks. The manufacturer unveiled a mock-up of this vehicle at the MSPO 2025 trade fair in Kielce.

"We plan to assemble and integrate it next year," announces Ratel, project manager for the CBWP project at HSW. "We want to meet the military's expectations, which is why we decided to launch this production. For now, it's a product financed from our HSW funds."

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