Poland plans to purchase 60 Rosomak-S Spike anti-tank missile carrier 8x8 armored vehicles.

According to a Tweet published on May 1, 2020, by the Polish Ministry of Defense Mariusz Błaszczak, Poland plans to purchase 60 new Rosomak-S 8x8 armored vehicles designed to carry Spike ATGM (Anti-Tank-Guided Missile) launcher units, missiles and operators.

Rosomak-S anti-tank missile carrier 8x8 armored vehicle. (Picture source Rosomak)

The Rosomak is a family of 8x8 wheeled armored combat vehicles produced by the Polish company Rosomak S.A. based in Siemianowice Śląskie. In December 2002, the Polish Ministry of National Defense signed a contract to buy 690 Patria AMV vehicles, to be manufactured in Poland. As part of the initial order, 690 vehicles were to be delivered in two basic variants including IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicles) and APC (Armored Personnel Carrier). The vehicle entered into service with the Polish Army in 2013.

The Rosomak was deployed with the Polish Army during combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and during peacekeeping missions in Chad and the Central African Republic.

The Rosomak is based on the 8x8 AMV (Armored Modular Vehicle) produced by the Finnish Defense company Patria. The Polish version of the AMV called Rosomak also nicknamed Wolverine in the Polish army is produced under license in Poland.

The layout of the Rosomak is divided into three main parts with the power pack at the front right of the hull, driver front left and the troop's compartment at the rear. The Rosomak-S version has no turret, but the original troop's compartment has been modified to accommodate two launcher units of Spike ATGW (Anti-Tank Guided Missile), eight missiles and operators.

The Spike is an anti-tank guided missile designed and manufactured by the Israeli company Rafael, the Spike-LR (Lon-Range version) is produced under license in Poland by the company Mesko.

The Spike-LR has been introduced into service with the Polish army in 2004. The Spike missile is equipped with a tandem anti-tank warhead. It is capable to destroy armoured vehicles from the front or top side, at a range of up to 4,000 meters. Guidance is realized either by a thermal vision camera or via visible light. The operator is able to guide the missile with an optical fiber, which means that striking covered targets is possible as well.