Mine Launcher Box of Baobab-K Is a Key Element of Poland's Anti-Tank Defense.

At MSPO 2024, the spotlight was not solely on the Baobab-K mine-laying vehicle but also on a crucial component of this system: the mine launcher box. This device plays an essential role in the Baobab-K's mine dispersion system, designed to quickly and effectively deploy MN-123 anti-tank mines.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

A reduced 1:3 scale of the launcher box. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The launcher box stands out for its ability to hold several mine cassettes, each equipped with five anti-tank mines. The system includes 20 tubes capable of scattering mines across a wide area. These cassettes are propelled by specific charges that allow for precise mine deployment, creating dense and extended minefields suitable for the needs of defensive military operations.

One of the launcher box's key strengths is its integration of advanced control technologies. Connected to a command interface, it regulates minefield density and ensures optimal coverage of the terrain. The system is designed to operate safely, even while the vehicle is moving, making it a significant asset for military engineering units deploying minefields in combat conditions.

The launcher is also compatible with various chassis types, providing great flexibility in its use. It can be mounted on transport vehicles such as the Baobab-K or other platforms, depending on mission requirements. Furthermore, the launcher allows for lateral mine dispersion, on both sides and behind the vehicle, ensuring complete terrain coverage.

Presented at the exhibition at a reduced 1:3 scale, this launcher box drew considerable attention for its crucial role in the Baobab-K's operation, demonstrating the Polish defense industry's capability to innovate in the field of automated defense systems.

The Baobab-K itself is an automated mine-laying system developed in Poland, mounted on a Jelcz 8x8 truck chassis. This system enables the rapid and effective deployment of anti-tank mines in strategic areas to slow down or stop enemy armored vehicles.

The Baobab-K's development began in 2017 as part of a research and development program led by Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW). After several years of testing and refinement, the project reached a significant milestone in June 2023 when Polish Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak approved the system's delivery contracts. This contract includes the delivery of 24 Baobab-K vehicles to the Polish army, with a total value of 510 million PLN (approximately 114 million euros), with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2028. Additionally, a separate contract for the purchase of mines and related cassettes, valued at 566 million PLN, was also signed.

The Baobab-K is operated by a two-person crew and has a maximum capacity of 600 mines. It can lay mines at speeds between 5 and 25 km/h, covering an area approximately 1,800 meters long and 180 meters wide. These features allow the system to provide rapid and flexible protection for ground troops while minimizing the operators' exposure to battlefield dangers.

The Baobab-K represents a major step forward in modernizing Poland's defense capabilities, equipping the armed forces with an efficient tool for creating anti-tank minefields—a critical asset in countering armored offensives in modern warfare.