Borsuk IFV programme marks turning point for Poland’s armoured modernisation
The Borsuk vehicles are to replace the Soviet-designed BMP-1 as the Polish military’s main tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).
Mack Defense is now producing Heavy Dump Trucks (HDT) from a dedicated production line. (Photo: Mack Defense)
Mack Defense has begun production of the M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck (HDT) for the US Army on a dedicated $6.5 million production line.
‘The investment will help fulfil the Mack Defense M917A3 contract with the US Army, as well as allow the production of other vehicle variants,’ the company announced on 24 June.
The production line is located in the Mack Experience Center in the former Customer Adaptation Center, where vehicle modifications for Mack trucks occurred.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the US Army placed an order for up to 683 M917A3s as part of a $296 million contract in May 2018. Initial deliveries began in May 2021.
The HDT is based on the civilian Mack Granite model with heavier-duty rear axles, all-wheel drive, an increased suspension ride height and other features to meet US Army requirements.
The Borsuk vehicles are to replace the Soviet-designed BMP-1 as the Polish military’s main tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).
The package of three standalone follow-on contracts makes this the largest contract won by the Australian company and larger than its total 2024 revenue.
Patria quotes a maximum rate of fire of eight rounds a minute from the new ARVE (ARtillery on VEhicle) self-propelled gun with a range of 40km for an assisted round. The rapid, low-risk development is designed to meet emerging requirements which have arisen out of the Ukraine war.
The termination of programmes such as JLTV and RCV has been harshly criticised by members of the US Congress.
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This recent purchase of the medium-range air defence system adds to the country’s ongoing efforts to ramp up its overall defence readiness and capabilities.