HSW has started developing heavy infantry fighting vehicles based on Krab: a new stage of Polish military engineering

 

Polish Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle (BMP) mounted on a Krab self-propelled howitzer chassis

The Polish company Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) has launched research and development (R&D) to create a heavy infantry fighting vehicle (BMP) on the chassis of a Krab self-propelled howitzer. This project, which was initially discussed in the 2010s, received a new impetus due to internal financing of the enterprise and strategic plans to attract external investors at late stages.  

The new infantry fighting vehicle will use the Krab chassis, a platform that has already proven itself in artillery systems. Abandoning buoyancy, unlike its light counterparts, will increase reservations and armament, making the vehicle suitable for supporting tank units. The concept assumes a modular architecture, which will facilitate modernization and adaptation to infantry tasks.  

HSW has extensive experience in the development of armored vehicles: in the 1960s, the company licensed the production of the Soviet BMP-1 under the TB-40 brand, and in the 2020s participated in the Borsuk program, a promising infantry fighting vehicle for the Polish army. The company is also known for its cooperation with WB Electronics on ZSSW-30 remote combat modules and the production of Patriot launchers. 

At the initial stage, the project is funded by HSW's own funds, which underlines the company's confidence in its viability. After the completion of the R&D, it is planned to attract external partners, including public and private structures. This will allow to scale production and integrate innovative technologies such as active protection or unmanned functions.