Light Armoured Reconnaissance Carrier (LOTR)
6x6 Armored Wheeled Carrier
In 2006 the Polish Army withdrew from the purchase 32 wheeled APCs 6x6 (Patria AMV 6x6 XC-361P), whose acquisition was part of the original contract with the Finns signed in December 2002. Since then the issue of the search for a successor for the 4 x 4 BRDM-2 remained.
The contentious issue in the implementation of the agreement of 15 April 2003 was offset obligations. The Finns failed to fulfill the obligations of EUR 100 million, among others, contracts for the purchase of parts and mechanical components in companies of Bumar and Huta Stalowa Wola. The Finnish company also committed to purchase Siemianowicach transporters Rosomaks for 60 million euros. Unable to achieve the objectives, the Finns asked for arbitration. Finally, the parties agreed (Extension of the period offset by Wolverines, 2013-05-09) and outstanding commitments were offset by the transfer of the license for the production from Finns to Poland in 2023.
The agreement with Patria included the free transfer of a license covering production and sale of modernized and modified Wolverine vehicles, modernization and modification for the Ministry of Defence, the free transfer of modern technology support operation of vehicles (Life Cycle) and the purchase of a modernized by Patria AMV vehicle. This would enable the Military Zaklady Mechanical Engineering SA in Siemianowice Slaskie to continue producing and modifying Rosomaks. The license for their production expired at the end of December 2012.
On 05 February 2010 at the WITU (Military Institute of Armament Technology) ended classified trials of a defence system against RPG-7 HEAT grenades. The system was destined to defend Rosomak AFVs during ISAF mission in Afghanistan. During these tests, finally the QinetiQ Nets have been chosen. These nets will be mounted on frame system with installing points designed in WZM SA.
In January 2010 in OBRUM (R&D Center For Mechanical Devices) started to cut steel plates for technology demonstrator of future Polish universal tracked combat vehicle for XXI century. The vehicle is planned to roll out at the Kielce Military Fair 2010 Exhibition. This is no small challenge as the sum total passed to OBRUM through target project of Ministry of Science was only 17.1 million PLN.
During the design of a Polish combat vehicle of at least 33 tons, with combat weight and dimension making it suitable for transport by the European A400M, there emerged a consortium led by OBRUM, and containing WB Electronics (systems integration, Fonet), Radmor (radios), PCO (optronics).
OBRUM remained (and most probably would remain after incorporation of Bumar) most experienced designer of medium and heavy armour combat platforms. It is worth to remain that Gliwice's factory designed the project ‘Wilk' (Wolf) that become a basis for PT-91 and its Malaysia variant, unfinished design of Goryl tank, technology demonstrator of BWP-2000 ACV with use of SUM-Kalina chassis, also the chassis and hull for the Krab SP Howitzer that entered mass production at CPW HSW (Military Production Center of Stalowa Wola Iron Works).
With this New Generation Vehicle stakes are for a design of universal combat carrying platform for Polish Land Forces for XXI century. This would be vehicle of modular design to become a basis for light tank, support or reconnaissance vehicle tracked ACV, with interchangeable power packs, observation and fighting equipment.
Developed on the basis of the OT-64 SKOT by the Military Industrial Automotive in Poznan (WZMot 5), the Irbis 6x6 armored personnel carrier technology demonstrator was presented for the first time at the International Defence Industry in 2005.
In August 2013, the Armament Inspectorate launched a market analysis on acquiring military transporter light armored reconnaissance (LOTR). It is to replace the so far used cars BRDM-2 and their variants modified by AMP in Siemianowice Slaskie.
On the basis of a decision of the Minister of national defence No 721MON of March 25, 2013, on the mobilization of military equipment and services for Forces Of The Republic Of Poland (Oj. Mon, poz. 78), the Armaments Inspectorate [in the framework of the implementation of the analytical phase-conceptual] iitiated a market analysis on possible purchase for the armed forces of the Republic of Poland Lekkieg0, Armored Reconnaissance Transporter " LOTR - Lekkiego Opancerzonego Transportera Rozpoznawczego.
The preliminary requirements of the Polish armed forces included among others a 4 x 4 or 6 x 6 drive type, vehicle armor according to Stanag 4569 Ballistic-3 [resistance to fire antitank missiles 7.62 mm with 30 m and 20 mm pieces of artillery fired at a distance of 90 m], resistance against improvised explosives (IED) according to Stanag 4569 2a (6-kg detonation of an explosive device at any wheel). A key parameter for the vehicle was buoyancy.
Estimated speed of 40-50 km / h in the wilderness and 90-110 km / h on the road paved, the range of 300-500 km off-road and 600-1000 km on paved road. The clearance of the car should be in the range of 400 to 450 mm, the angle of entry and exit amount to 40-45 °. Transporter be capable of overcoming the peaks 60%, and driving at the lateral heel 30%, and also overcoming the thresholds of 400 x 400 mm. The theme of the competition car has to be driven to form the prototype to study eligibility.
The German automobile parts and defense group Rheinmetall intended to develop an armored wheeled vehicle for the Polish military, together with a local partner. To this end, a joint venture would be set up in 2015. The joint venture with Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) would build an amphibious Radpanzer [armored vehicle] which might later go into export.
On 22 May 2015 a cooperation agreement was signed in Radom between the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and OBRUM sp. z o.o. as one party and the German company Rheinmetall Man Military Vehicles (RMMV) as the other party. The parties to the agreement will together design and make prototypes of a new, amphibious, wheeled armoured carrier in 6x6 configuration, meeting the requirements of the modern battlefield.
This vehicle will be the first one in its class to take a full advantage of all experiences of the recent asymmetrical conflicts. The Polish economy will also win – the vehicle will be manufactured in Poland. The 1970s Fuchs is suitable for amphibious operations such as floating river crossings. Poland wanted around 200 of the new German-Polish Radpanzer [armored vehicle]. The total value of the order is expected to reach over 300 million euros. The comparatively low price of 1.5 million euros per vehicle might suggest that it was not likely to be a completely new development in the cooperation. The delivery was expected to start-up in three to four years.
The signed agreement was in line with the plans of the Ministry of National Defence (MON) related to the procurement of a Light Armored Reconnaissance Carrier (LOTR - Lekiego Opancerzonego Transportera Rozpoznawczego). Thanks to the agreement, it will be possible to replace the 4x4 BRDM-2 reconnaissance vehicles currently operated in Poland with state-of-the-art equipment.
The new design of the 6x6 carrier will make a full use of the great experience of OBRUM and RMMV in the field of wheeled armoured vehicles. This carrier will provide a high – for amphibious vehicles – degree of ballistic protection. With a payload of at least 3.5 t and combat weight below 20 t, it will be a very functional platform to be applied in reconnaissance and other missions.
PGZ and RMMV are also planning to offer a new vehicle and its derivatives together on foreign markets. “We perceive this agreement as the first step towards the strategic alliance with PGZ on the wheeled vehicle market and as a path which should be followed also by other Rheinmetall group companies. I am convinced that the combined experience of RMMV and its partners will lead to the development, as part of our undertaking, of the state-of-the-art wheeled armoured vehicle in 6x6 configuration, in the segment below 20 t,” said President of RMMV Pietro Borgo.
PGZ forms a Group composed of more than 60 companies of the manufacturing & services sector, with ca. 17.5 thousand employees. As a result of the consolidation, one of the largest defense groups in this part of the world has been established.
OBRUM is a research & development center, existing since 1968, involved in research, development and manufacturing of diverse armaments systems for the needs for the Polish Armed Forces.
RMMV is a manufacturing center for wheeled logistic and tactical vehicles as part of Rheinmetall group. As a company whose shareholders are Rheinmetall AG and MAN Truck & Bus AG, RMMV is a major supplier of complete solutions in the field of military wheeled vehicles.
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