Saab debuts Combat Training Center at MSPO 2025 bridging battlefield realism with NATO preparedness.

On 3rd of September 2025 at MSPO 2025 in Kielce, Poland, Saab gave an international press briefing focusing on its Combat Training Center (CTC) solutions and their role in preparing modern armed forces for contemporary conflicts. With Poland already operating Saab’s Live Training systems at five different military sites, the presentation underlined the growing importance of realistic, data-driven, and scalable training environments at a time when the experience of actual combat remains the most critical element of military readiness. The briefing emphasized how CTC capabilities allow soldiers to train in conditions that mirror the battlefield, bridging the gap between classroom instruction and operational deployment.
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The session in Kielce demonstrated that for Saab, training is not an isolated activity but a critical component of national and allied defense readiness. Poland’s adoption of CTC solutions at scale shows how a country on NATO’s eastern flank is investing in methods that can replicate battlefield stress, integrate advanced weapon platforms, and prepare soldiers for coalition operations (Picture Source: SAAB)

The training and simulation locations provide the Polish Armed Forces with the ability to train at both company and battalion levels, with some scenarios involving company-versus-battalion or battalion-versus-company exercises. The concept of CTC enables soldiers to train as they fight, ensuring that operational lessons are directly transferred to the training field. SAAB underlined that the Combat Training Center is not just a fixed installation but a framework for scalable, integrated exercises, adaptable to evolving threats and technologies.

Saab also highlighted opportunities for further development. Among the planned expansions are the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles into training systems, the instrumentation of Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) facilities in Wędrzyn, and the inclusion of mortars and forward observers. Saab is also working toward linking simulators with platforms currently entering Polish service such as the K2 main battle tank, the ZSSW turret, and the M1A2 SEP v3 Abrams. Further enhancements include dedicated simulators for systems like the Carl-Gustaf M4, Javelin, and future helicopter platforms, alongside the integration of combat net radios into the exercise control system. Such developments point to a longer-term ambition: expanding the training environment from battalion to brigade-level exercises, while sustaining interoperability with NATO allies.

The second part of the presentation outlined how the CTC works in practice. It is designed as a “system of systems” built around three core pillars: simulators, exercise control (EXCON), and communications. Soldiers and vehicles are fitted with simulation kits that allow their weapons and actions to be tracked in real time. EXCON provides a central view of the exercise, enabling commanders and trainers to observe, record, and replay missions with precision. The communications system supports this structure, ensuring that all elements of the exercise are interconnected, with up to 5,000 soldiers able to participate simultaneously in Poland.

In the presentation, Saab detailed the communications setup across different sites, ranging from trailer-based and container-based systems to manpack variants, though he noted some gaps in capability compared to other nations. Then the EXCON facilities were presented, which gather data and simulate effects such as artillery fire, creating a highly immersive environment for participants. The simulator kits for soldiers include helmet-mounted harnesses, GPS-enabled vests, weapon-mounted laser devices, and engagement feedback systems, ensuring both realism and safety. Vehicles are also equipped with simulator kits that replicate firing and damage effects, covering platforms from PT-91 and T-72M tanks to Leopard 2A5s, Rosomak armored vehicles, and BWP-1 infantry fighting vehicles.

Premium kits allow for two-way laser scanning and real-time fire simulation, reducing ammunition expenditure while maintaining high fidelity training. The system also includes observer-controllers who provide situational awareness throughout the exercises. Saab’s vision for the future emphasizes expanding interoperability, particularly in Europe, where CTC installations already exist across multiple allied nations. By aligning training solutions with new acquisitions and battlefield realities, Saab aims to ensure that exercises remain as close as possible to real combat conditions.

The session in Kielce demonstrated that for Saab, training is not an isolated activity but a critical component of national and allied defense readiness. Poland’s adoption of CTC solutions at scale shows how a country on NATO’s eastern flank is investing in methods that can replicate battlefield stress, integrate advanced weapon platforms, and prepare soldiers for coalition operations. Saab’s message was clear: while no training can fully replace combat experience, technology-driven realism offers the most effective bridge between peace-time preparation and wartime demands.