Poland's new amphibious fighting vehicle is a modular military platform

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Borsuk isn't just an infantry fighting vehicle; it is the foundation for a diverse family of combat machines. Designed to replace Poland's aging BWP-1, this versatile chassis can be adapted into everything from command centers and mortars to specialized engineering transporters.

Initiated in 2014, the Borsuk project was born from a contract between the NCBR and a large Polish industrial consortium. The goal was to create a modern replacement for the BWP-1, which has served since 1973 but is now considered obsolete. A significant portion of the early development was funded by government grants, with costs eventually rising to over 262 million PLN as production prototypes were commissioned in 2022.

The vehicle's versatility stems from its 'Universal Modular Tracked Platform' (UMPG) design. While the base variant is an infantry fighting vehicle equipped with a ZSSW-30 unmanned turret, the chassis serves as a backbone for numerous specialized roles. This includes the Oset command vehicle, the Rak 120mm self-propelled mortar, and several 'Jodła' variants—a family of engineering transporters designed to perform tasks like mine-scattering or amphibious transport.

Technically, the Borsuk is a high-mobility machine capable of reaching 65 km/h on roads and 8 km/h in water. It features a fully amphibious design where the driver can raise a trim vane from the cabin to enter water, using two water jets for propulsion. Its protection comes from welded Armox 500T steel plates arranged as spaced armor, providing STANAG level IV protection from the front and level III from the sides.

The ZSSW-30 turret is a key component, housing a 30 mm Mk44S Bushmaster II chain gun and two Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles. Notably, the missiles are kept in a separate launch container rather than extending directly from the turret. This design choice enhances crew safety by isolating the explosives and allows for rapid replacement of damaged containers in the field without exposing personnel.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The Soviet scout car that became a global fixture of modern conflict
• The Cold War armored carrier that traded petrol for diesel safety
• The Soviet BTR-50: A Cold War amphibious transporter still seeing combat seven decades later
• The Russian tank that can be parachuted into battle with its crew inside
• The BMP-3 is a heavily armed infantry combat vehicle with an unconventional engine layout.
• Kalahari democracy that mines more diamonds than almost anyone
• How a family herbal shop became a global retail giant
• How a small rural teacher training school became a major public research university
• The world's largest business jet trades cabin space for extreme range
• How a desperate Greek play saved a struggling English boarding school from total bankruptcy
• Why the world's most famous pasta sauce is a case of mistaken identity
• How a political compromise created one of America's most iconic armored vehicles

More in Countries and other regions · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics