MSPO 2020: Poland and Czech companies sign agreement to produce 4x4 armored vehicles for Polish army.

According to a press release published on September 8, 2020, during the MSPO defense exhibition in Poland, Polish company Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), a subsidiary of PGZ (Polish Armament Group) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Czech Company Tatra Export S.R.O. for the production of 4x4 armored vehicles for the Polish Armed Forces.

New 4x4 armored vehicle that will be produced by HSW from Poland and Tatra from the Czech Republic for the Polish Army. (Picture source HSW)

The 4x4 armored vehicle will be produced first for the Polish Armed Forces to respond to programs and projects in which the Polish Armaments Group is involved. The vehicle will be also designed to provide a new range of combat armored that can be configured as a command post, rocket launcher, and more. The contract will also allow the possibility to offer new vehicles for foreign military markets.

The Polish company HSW (Huta Stalowa Wola) is specialized in the production of artillery systems. The company has already developed a strategy of offering the Ordering Party complete fire modules, which we create in cooperation with companies belonging to the PGZ Group and the private industry, such as the WB Group. With the production of 4x4 armored vehicle, HSW expand its portfolio and ability to provide the Polish Armed Forces with solutions tailored to their needs

In 2018, it was announced that the Polish army has launched a new tender to acquire 4x4 vehicles in unarmored and armored versions. According to the picture released by HSW, the vehicle seems to be the Patriot II, a new 4x4 armored vehicle developed by the Czech company Excalibur based on a Tatra 4x4 chassis.

The Patriot II 4x4 armored vehicle was unveiled to the public in the Czech Republic during the defense exhibition IDET that was held in May 2019. The design of the vehicle is standard for a modern 4x4 armored vehicle with the engine at the front, crew in the middle, and troops compartment at the rear. It has a crew of two including driver and commander and can accommodate 5 infantrymen at the rear.

The Patriot II is designed to be used as an armored tactical vehicle featuring high maneuverability able to perform different types of missions as reconnaissance or patrol, especially during asymmetric missions, and further serving as a carrier platform for light motorized units.

Patriot II has a GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) of 15,000 kg, a wheelbase of 3.65 m, and will be offered with a choice of two diesel engines, a Cummins ISBL developing 270 kW or a Tatra T3C-928-90 developing 300 kW. The Patriot II can run at a maximum speed of 110 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 700 km.

The welded steel cabin has a patented bolted design, which the company calls the “Kitted Hull Concept”. The vehicle provides standard ballistic protection STANAG 4569 Level 3 against small arms (7.62×51mm AP at 30 meters with 930 m/s) and Level 2a/2b anti-mine protection (6 kg Blast AT Mine, 2a – Mine Explosion pressure-activated under any wheel or track location, and 2b – Mine Explosion under center).

Patriot II 4x4 armored vehicle produced by the Czech company Excalibur. (Picture source Army Recognition)