Full Breakdown
Poland Unveils Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle Amid Modernization Drive
9/9/2026, 8:31:49 AM
Core Unveiling at MSPO 2026
On September 8, 2026, Poland displayed the Ciezki Bojowy Wóz Piechoty (CBWP)—also called “Ratel”—at the 34th International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce. The full-size demonstrator, built by Huta Stalowa Wola of the state-owned Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), marked the first public appearance of the nation’s heavy tracked infantry fighting vehicle.
Design and Capabilities
The CBWP carries a three-person crew and up to eight infantrymen. Key features include:
- Ballistic and mine protection meeting STANAG standards, with mine-resistant seats.
- Optional active protection system (APS) against anti-tank weapons and small drones.
- Laser-warning equipment (OBRA-3) linked to smoke-grenade launchers.
- NBC filtration for contaminated environments.
- ZSSW-30 remotely operated turret with a 30 mm cannon, programmable ammunition and Rafael Spike ATGMs that can also provide indirect fire and loitering.
A PGZ representative said the platform weighs “between 40 and 43 tons.”
Role in Poland’s Armored Modernization
Poland’s procurement surge, driven by the Russian threat, has created a two-tier IFV strategy. The lighter, amphibious Borsuk will replace aging BWP-1s, while the CBWP offers a heavily protected option for the most contested terrain. The design follows NATO’s shift toward IFVs capable of surviving modern ATGMs, loitering munitions and drone attacks.
Procurement Plans and Export Ambitions
Polish officials estimate a need for around 700 CBWP units. The Ministry of National Defence has already ordered 257 Borsuk IFVs, with a framework for up to 1,400 Borsuk-family vehicles.
PGZ will build two functional prototypes after the demonstrator, targeting 2027 for completion and testing. Serial production could start as early as 2029, though the schedule is provisional.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz linked the program to the EU’s SAFE scheme, which provides up to €43.7 billion in low-interest loans for Poland’s military acquisitions. He called the CBWP a “flagship export product” illustrating Poland’s shift from net buyer to net producer.
Official Statements & Responses
Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized Poland’s emerging role as both consumer and producer of military hardware, noting the SAFE mechanism’s contribution to a “fifty-fifty” balance between domestic purchases and imports.
Adam Leszkiewicz, president of PGZ’s management board, described the demonstrator as proof of Polish industry’s capacity to design advanced combat platforms.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The demonstrator presented today confirms that Polish companies possess the expertise to design and develop advanced combat platforms that meet the demands of the modern battlefield,” — Adam Leszkiewicz
- “Poland is becoming a country that not only buys military gear from the world, but is also its major producer,” — Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz
Data & Statistics
- Crew / capacity: 3 crew + 8 infantry.
- Weight: 40–43 tons.
- Armament: 30 mm cannon, programmable ammo, Spike ATGM.
- Planned procurement: ~700 CBWP units; 257 Borsuk ordered, up to 1,400 Borsuk-family vehicles envisaged.
- SAFE funding: €43.7 billion in low-interest loans.
- Prototype schedule: demonstrator ready 2026, two prototypes by 2027, possible serial production 2029.
Why It Matters
The CBWP strengthens Poland’s ability to field a highly protected tracked IFV force, addressing vulnerabilities seen in the Ukraine conflict. Coupled with EU financing, the program supports Poland’s ambition to become a leading exporter of advanced combat platforms within NATO.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The exact timeline for serial production remains uncertain; while PGZ cites a 2029 target, no firm procurement schedule has been confirmed. The decision on integrating an active protection system on the production model has also not been finalized.
