Image source: topwar.ru
Poland celebrates the day of the ground forces, in connection with which Defence24 decided to sum up the technical modernization of this type of troops.
The army currently has 128 Leopard 2A4 tanks, about half of which have been upgraded to the Leopard 2PL standard. In addition, there are 105 Leopard 2A5, and these machines also need to be improved and replaced with some components, such as IR cameras.
116 M1A1FEP tanks purchased in the USA were received. The first battalion of these vehicles is already functioning as part of the 1st Tank Brigade, and the subsequent ones are being prepared and gradually transferred to the army. The first batch of new M1A2SEPv3 tanks (out of 250 purchased) is already ready, and they are expected to be transported to Poland.
56 of the 180 K2 tanks ordered from South Korea have been transferred, which will allow the formation of the first battalion of these vehicles to be completed. Only two MBTs are missing before it is fully completed. Additional copies are due to arrive this year, which will allow the rearmament of another tank battalion to begin.
Thus, the Polish army currently has 405 modern tanks, not counting the T-72 and PT-91 remaining [after the supply of the Armed Forces of Ukraine], still in operation. By the end of 2026, the ground forces should have a total of 779 modern MBT. At the same time, according to the author, new orders for additional machines will be required to expand capabilities and begin forming reserves.
A similar situation is observed in the rocket and artillery troops. K9A1 self-propelled howitzers are gradually arriving in Poland (a total of 212 units have been ordered in South Korea), which, firstly, fill the gap that arose after the transfer of the old 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, and, secondly, allow the process of unifying artillery with the NATO caliber to begin.
Image source: topwar.ru
ACS K9A1
According to the author, most likely, all BM-21 Grad MLRS have already been decommissioned, 75 WR-40 Langusta launchers remain in the troops [local Grad modernization]. 20 M142 HIMARS PU have been received, Korean K239 Chunmoo MLRS are being supplied: 22 units out of 288 purchased have been transferred to the army; another 24 sets are awaiting installation on Polish Jelcz P882.57 trucks.
In terms of mechanized infantry, according to the author, one of the most pressing problems is the lack of modern infantry fighting vehicles. As he believes, the BWP-1 [Polish BMP-1] is a completely outdated product. The new Borsuk BMP has already completed qualification tests and negotiations on the first contract are underway.
- the author writes.
Image source: topwar.ru
Borsuk BMP
There is also a problem with wheeled armored personnel carriers, as about 100 Rosomaks of different versions were transferred to Ukraine. True, about 300 Rosomaks have been ordered, but this is clearly not enough to meet the needs of the ground forces in this class of equipment.
Another "bottleneck" of the army is the lack of active protection systems for armored vehicles.
- the publication says.
As indicated, an integrated approach is needed to combat drones, which should be countered not only by KAZ, but also by electronic warfare, automatic cannons using programmable ammunition or projectiles with a contactless fuse, as well as anti-aircraft missile systems.
Regarding the equipment of infantry, the situation with the equipment of soldiers is improving, although, according to the author, it is far from ideal. Systematic purchases of modern helmets, modular ballistic vests, modern uniforms, optics for small arms, and modern hand-held anti-tank systems are needed. A number of purchases have already been made, but it will take some time before the troops are saturated with the match.
- the author concludes.
