Latest-Generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle Borsuk IFV Enters Service with the Polish Army.

The Polish army took delivery of its first 15 Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles from HSW on December 4, 2025. The milestone signals a decisive step in Warsaw’s plan to build one of Europe’s most modern and heavily protected armored fleets.

Poland’s defense ministry confirmed on December 4, 2025, that Polish Company Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) has officially transferred the first tranche of Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) to the Polish Army, a long-awaited milestone in a program that has drawn close attention across NATO. Polish officials described the handover as the start of a sustained fielding effort that will eventually push hundreds of new tracked vehicles into frontline battalions. Early production models reportedly align with the configuration validated during recent trials, incorporating an unmanned turret, a 30 millimeter cannon, and an active protection suite that Polish officers say reflects lessons from contemporary high-intensity warfare.
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The Borsuk IFV is Poland’s next-generation amphibious infantry fighting vehicle, equipped with a remote-controlled 30mm turret, Spike-LR anti-tank missiles, and advanced digital systems, designed to replace the aging BWP-1 and enhance frontline mobility, firepower, and NATO interoperability. (Picture source/copyright: Army Recognition Group)

The handover of the Borsuk tracked IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) by the Polish Army marks the first fulfillment of a production contract signed in March 2025, covering an initial batch of 111 vehicles as Phase One. This contract marks only the opening phase of a broader framework agreement. The framework foresees nearly 1,400 vehicles on the Borsuk chassis, including not only infantry-fighting variants but also specialized versions for command, reconnaissance, recovery, and engineering support, all based on the Universal Modular Tracked Platform (UMPG).

The total value of the framework agreement, signed between the Polish Armaments Agency and Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), exceeds 10 billion euros, making it one of the largest single defense contracts ever signed in Poland. The acquisition is financed entirely through national funds under Poland’s Homeland Defense Act, which significantly raised defense spending in the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The contract not only supports the Polish Army's modernization but also secures long-term stability for domestic defense manufacturers, especially HSW and its numerous subcontractors across the Polish defense industrial base.

Development of the Borsuk IFV began in 2014 under the direction of HSW SA. The project was in cooperation with the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR). The vehicle was conceived as a next-generation amphibious infantry fighting vehicle to meet the operational demands of Poland’s future battlefield. It was designed to meet the needs of mobility, survivability, and networked lethality. Early prototypes underwent extensive testing from 2018 onward. This included mobility trials, amphibious evaluations, and live-fire testing with the ZSSW-30 turret system.

The Borsuk IFV was officially unveiled at MSPO 2022, where its advanced configuration drew significant attention from both NATO and international observers. By 2023, it had completed its qualification tests and was approved for serial production. The signing of the 111-unit production contract in 2025 was the culmination of more than a decade of national design, engineering, and doctrinal development work, involving input from frontline mechanized units and the Armament Inspectorate.

Designed to replace the obsolete BWP-1, the Borsuk IFV represents a significant upgrade across all key performance areas. It features a remote turret, modular armor with upgrade options, and strong amphibious capabilities for water crossings with full combat load. The IFV’s advanced fire control and networking allow for high targeting accuracy and full NATO system integration.

From a strategic standpoint, the delivery of these first serial‑production Borsuks sends multiple signals. For Warsaw, it demonstrates commitment to strengthening national defense while anchoring procurement in the domestic industry. For allies and potential adversaries alike, it signals a substantial upgrade in Poland’s mechanized capabilities amid heightened tension in Eastern Europe. For HSW and the broader Polish defense sector, the ramp‑up validates years of R&D and investment, and sets in motion one of the largest armoured vehicle production efforts in recent European history.

Industry sources tell Army Recognition that serial production has been steadily ramping up since the third quarter of 2025. HSW has implemented parallel investment in workforce expansion and supply chain localization to meet the aggressive delivery schedules. The production line is reportedly now operating under a dual-shift model. It is expected to build up to 100 vehicles annually once peak efficiency is reached by mid-2026.

Military officials speaking on background emphasized that the Borsuk program is not simply a replacement initiative. It is a doctrinal retooling of Poland’s mechanized forces. The new platform enables greater digital integration, better sensor fusion, and compatibility with NATO C4ISR networks. Trials conducted earlier this year involved joint exercises with U.S. Stryker and Bradley formations. These trials validated interoperability across key NATO formations stationed on the alliance’s eastern flank.

At a time when European defense spending is surging in response to the war in Ukraine, Poland’s Borsuk rollout signals both resolve and autonomy. The fact that the Borsuk is an entirely indigenous vehicle, developed and manufactured in Poland, underscores Warsaw’s intent not only to rearm but also to build sovereign industrial capabilities that can support the alliance in the long term.

Sources close to the Polish Ministry of National Defence confirm that deliveries will accelerate in 2026, with the first full battalion to be declared operational by the end of Q2. Additional contracts for medical, recovery, and reconnaissance variants are expected to be finalized in the first half of 2026, based on operational feedback from units that have received the initial vehicles.

The coming year is critical: continued production momentum and successful troop integration will consolidate Poland’s emergence as a leader in tracked infantry vehicle modernization in Europe. This focus has prompted interest from NATO countries seeking technical insights, potentially laying the groundwork for exports and future cooperation.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.