Poland Enhances Polish Army Battlefield Rescue with Rosomak 8x8 Armored Ambulance Vehicles.

According to information published by the Polish Ministry of National Defence on June 30, 2025, the Polish government has confirmed the acquisition of 12 new KTO Rosomak armored vehicles configured in the medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) variant. The contract, valued at approximately €58.9 million (PLN 250 million), includes an initial delivery of four vehicles with an option for additional units. These vehicles will enhance the Polish Armed Forces’ ability to provide immediate medical support during operational deployments, including missions along the Polish-Belarusian border, where tensions and the need for rapid response capabilities have increased.
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A Polish Army Rosomak 8x8 armored vehicle in medical evacuation configuration, designed for battlefield rescue operations. (Picture source: TopWar)

The Rosomak is an 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle manufactured by Rosomak S.A. in Siemianowice Śląskie, Poland, under license from Finnish defense company Patria. It is based on the Patria AMV 8x8 armored vehicle and has been in service with the Polish Army since 2005. Designed for versatility, mobility, and survivability, the Rosomak serves as the primary armored personnel carrier for Poland’s mechanized infantry brigades. It is powered by a 6-cylinder Scania diesel engine producing over 480 horsepower, allowing it to reach speeds of 100 km/h on roads with a maximum range of 800 kilometers. The vehicle can carry up to 10 fully equipped soldiers in addition to its crew and is capable of amphibious operations, making it adaptable to a wide variety of terrains and mission profiles.

The ambulance version of the Rosomak, known as WEM (Wóz Ewakuacji Medycznej), plays a crucial role in the Polish Army’s battlefield support network. This variant is purpose-built to safely evacuate wounded personnel from frontline positions to field hospitals under armored protection. The Rosomak WEM can accommodate three stretcher-bound and four seated casualties, and is staffed by a four-person crew including a commander, driver-mechanic, and two trained medics. It features advanced medical equipment such as automatic stretcher handling systems, GPS navigation, and specialized storage for medical supplies. Its interior is fitted with independent air conditioning and heating units to maintain optimal conditions for casualty care, even under extreme weather or combat environments.

Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the strategic value of this procurement, pointing to the changing nature of modern warfare as evidenced in Ukraine. He noted that contemporary combat conditions have shifted medical evacuation priorities from air-based platforms like helicopters to ground-based, armored solutions due to the threat posed by anti-air systems and contested airspace. In such scenarios, vehicles like the Rosomak WEM provide a vital lifeline for injured soldiers, ensuring immediate treatment and survival even in hostile environments. “First 4 in the medical evacuation version, then an option to acquire more. It is very important for us to comprehensively secure the armed forces. Ukraine showed how the battlefield has changed, but also how the procedures for providing medical assistance have changed,” he stated.

He further explained that battlefield medicine has evolved from the helicopter-centric evacuation tactics seen in Iraq and Afghanistan to new methods shaped by the realities of large-scale, high-intensity warfare. “Today, in Ukraine, the most important thing is often the soldier – a colleague from the trench, his skills and quick reaction. Vehicles such as the KTO Rosomak in the medical version will be great for evacuation. We are comprehensively prepared,” he added. Expressing confidence in the domestic defense industry, Kosiniak-Kamysz said, “Another contract with Rosomak – I am very happy because I know how you make the new equipment, how it is appreciated by our soldiers and abroad.”

This MEDEVAC contract complements the major acquisition signed in December 2024 for 80 Rosomak-L variants, which feature longer hulls, upgraded armor, and the latest ZSSW-30 remote-controlled weapon systems armed with a 30mm Bushmaster II cannon and Spike LR anti-tank guided missiles. Deliveries for those vehicles are scheduled between 2027 and 2028 and are expected to significantly enhance the firepower and protection of Poland’s mechanized units.

The Rosomak wheeled armored vehicle family continues to evolve to meet the Polish Armed Forces’ requirements, offering modular solutions tailored to a wide array of combat roles including infantry transport, command and control, reconnaissance, mortar carriage, and battlefield medical evacuation. The introduction of additional WEM units into operational service demonstrates Poland’s commitment to comprehensive force protection and underscores its effort to modernize all aspects of combat readiness, including critical life-saving support for troops in the field.