Poland Signs Agreement for 28 LOTR Kleszcz Armored Reconnaissance Vehicles.

Poland has signed a new agreement for the acquisition of 28 light armored reconnaissance vehicles, known as Kleszcz, developed through a collaboration between AMZ Kutno, a leading Polish defense manufacturer, and various military research institutes, as reported by the Polish MoD on X. These Kleszcz vehicles are intended to enhance the operational capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces, offering advanced reconnaissance capabilities on the battlefield.
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These light armored carriers are expected to improve the mobility and protection of reconnaissance units, allowing them to operate more effectively in various environments (Picture source: Army Recognition)

This purchase is part of Poland's strategy to strengthen its defense capabilities through domestic production. The agreement highlights the country's commitment to allocate 50% of its defense procurement budget to the Polish market. By investing in locally produced military technologies, Poland not only supports its defense industry but also ensures that its armed forces are equipped with modern and reliable equipment tailored to the specific needs of national defense.

The integration of Kleszcz vehicles into the Polish military's arsenal represents a crucial step in the country's defense strategy. These light armored carriers are expected to improve the mobility and protection of reconnaissance units, allowing them to operate more effectively in various environments. As Poland continues to modernize its military, this acquisition demonstrates the government's ongoing commitment to enhancing the capabilities of its armed forces while supporting the national defense industry.

In February 2024, the Polish Ministry of Defense unveiled ambitious plans to acquire 300 4x4 LOTR Kleszcz armored vehicles, which are intended to replace the aging Soviet-era BRDM-2 4x4 armored vehicles currently in service. The framework agreement, orchestrated by the Polish Armament Agency on behalf of the State Treasury of the Republic of Poland and AMZ-Kutno SA, outlines the terms for future individual executive agreements. These agreements will govern the acquisition and delivery of nearly 300 vehicles, aimed at bolstering the operational capacity of the Polish Army between 2025 and 2035.

The LOTR Kleszcz vehicles are the result of the "Light Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle" project, co-financed by the Polish National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) from 2013 to 2022. The project, with a total budget of PLN 36.45 million, including NCBR funding of PLN 33.42 million (€7.76 million), was led by AMZ-Kutno SA in collaboration with key military research institutes.

Developed under the Kleszcz program, the LOTR Kleszcz 4x4 armored vehicle is currently being developed by AMZ Kutno under the name Bóbr 3 armored reconnaissance vehicle. These new vehicles are designed to replace the Soviet-era BRDM-2 4x4 armored vehicles, offering improved performance and reliability to meet the modern operational needs of the Polish Army's reconnaissance units. Initial plans for these vehicles aimed to acquire over 240 units, marking a significant improvement in Poland's military reconnaissance capabilities.