"Polish Light Tank” - the international unveiling at MSPO

Europe's major military equipment fair, the International defence Industry Exhibition (6-9th September) features the latest achievements of companies operating in the defence industry.

The international unveilings to take place this year will include the "Polish Light Tank"- Fire Support Vehicles based on the 21st century combat platform. It is a fruit of the hard and extensive work that has been carried out by engineers and researchers as well as by all those creating the manufacturing potential of the Polish defence industry. This development project is being implemented by OBRUM, the Military University of Technology (WAT) and Wojskowe Zakłady Mechaniczne in Siemianowice Śląskie, with finance provided by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

According to the Rzeczpospolita daily, the Bumar Group, having developed its first fighting vehicle in a long time, hopes that this modern fire support vehicle, meeting the latest NATO standards defined on the basis of the experience gained in Iraq and Afghanistan, will enable this defence holding to continue supplying the army with its armoured equipment. It will also be a chance to get the production going at Zakłady Mechaniczne in Łabędy, a tank manufacturer which is undergoing a restructuring.

Fire Support Vehicle

With the solutions and components adopted in its design, the Fire Support Vehicle can be classified into the world's main MBT vehicles as a Generation III+ technology.

Its low combat weight and high ballistic protection levels (basic version - level 3+, with add-on armour - 5+, with mine protection system - 3) according to STANAG 4569, in addition to its dimensions facilitating air transport make it suitable for utilization during military intervention and peace-keeping missions, both classic and asymmetric conflicts, including rural and mountainous areas, in any geographical locations. It can be used for the immediate relocating of four landing force soldiers.
Quick add-on features:

• additional armour, including a reactive one,
• the latest generation anti-tank missile protection system,
• sapper system to be installed at the front of the chassis,
• gun nest detection system,
• command variant,
• other.

Its chassis, designed as a multi-purpose modular platform, can be additionally equipped (sapper and reconnaissance systems, medical assistance, radio station, and other) to meet standards required of special fighting vehicles.