Rosomak (Wolverine) wheeled armored vehicle
KTO is an abbreviation for "Kolowy Transporter Opancerzony", which means "wheeled armored vehicle" in Polish, and Rosomak means "wolverine".
KTO Rosomak (Kolowy Transporter Opancerzony Rosomak) was designed by the Finnish company Patria Vehicles Oy under the name AMV (Armoured Modular Vehicle). In December 2002 the design was selected by Poland in the tender for wheeled armored personnel carriers. According to the contract production of 690 vehicles was ordered at the Military Mechanical Works in Siemianowice Slaskie.
For the delivery of six hundred and ninety APCs Ministry of Defence would pay in the years from 2003 to 2012 nearly 5 billion zlotys (actual cost will be higher due to the unplanned strengthening armor and modification of armored personnel carriers for the Polish military contingents). This amount also included the cost of 313 turreted OTO Melara 30 mm HITFIST from Italy for 308 million USD (including 241 built in Poland under license). The estimated market price of one Rosomak in the basic version was about 5 million PLN, combat 10 million PLN, while a special version of ISAF up to 15 million PLN.
Decision of the Chief of General Staff of 31 December 2004. Adopted transporter to weapons. The first transporter Wolverine were transferred army 8 January 2005. (Three in the combat version of the HITFIST-30P turret and 6 basic unarmed vehicles). The first user was 17 Mechanised Brigade of Mezritsh.
A tender for the supply of KTO Rosomak for the Polish Army was won by Patria & Rosomak S.A. formerly known as WZM S.A. Teamed with weapons platform manufacturer OTO Melara. The winning consortium faced fierce competition from defence industry giants. All the competing vehicles went through a demand-ing test phase including over 2700 kilometers of variable Polish soil, vehicles amphibious capabilities and weapons platforms were also tested in extreme conditions. “Tender for the transporters was a real battle between the largest corporations in the world of armaments”1, states former Deputy Minister of National Defence Janusz Zemke, who was also in charge of tender’s evaluation.
The original agreement for 690 vehicles in ten versions was signed. Small pre-series was made in Finland and main series production locally in Poland. Deliveries were planned to take place between 2004 and 2013. Po-land’s Ministry of Defence structured the contract to ensure high share of component supply and work for the domestic companies. Localization of the product was called “Polonization” and it was to become efficiently executed.
In year 2003 Patria Technology Transfer Poland project was launched. This included transfer of manufacturing data and know-how to Rosomak S.A. and its workers. The production facilities in Siemianowice were completely modernized to meet the highest industry quality standards. Newspaper headlines stated: “How did such a tiny plant, like WZM in Siemianowice dare to undertake such a big deal?”. It is true that Rosomak S.A. (WZM S.A.) was not an industry giant at the time but the company has showed remarkable capacity to adopt new technology, skills and talent. Patria’s Technology Transfer and expertise has supported Rosomak S.A. to raise to the high ranks of the Polish defence industry.
On the basis of the Rosomak armored personnel carrier, several variants of various purposes have been developed, which are in service with the Polish army. Previously, 29 Rosomak WEM wheeled armored personnel carriers were ordered for the Armed Forces of Poland. They are designed to evacuate the wounded from the battlefield, provide first aid, including dressing wounds and injuries, and support the basic vital functions of a person. These vehicles will be delivered in 2024-2026.
The Oto Melara Hitfist-30P turret is armed with a 30 mm ATK Mk44 chain gun and a 7.62 mm NATO UKM-2000C machine gun with a coaxial mount. It has a modern fire control system with a thermal imaging sight and gun stabilization for accurate shooting on the move. The active defense system is an Obra laser warning system coupled to six 902A ZM Dezamet 81mm smoke grenade launchers. Some of them are equipped with Spike anti-tank systems, the launcher of which is installed on both sides of the turret.
The Finnish original, the Patria armored personnel carrier, was designed to provide optimal component modularity and adaptability to a wide range of combat missions. At the same time, for the Polish ground forces "Wolverine" is available in the following versions:
- KTO Rosomak-Lowcza: Air defense command vehicle equipped with the Lowcza system.
- KTO Rosomak-S: Armored personnel carrier variant for two anti-tank teams armed with Israeli fourth-generation Spike anti-tank guided missiles.
- KTO Rosomak-WD: (Wóz Dowodzenia - command vehicle) command vehicle for the battalion commander.
- KTO Rosomak-WEM: (Wóz Ewakuacji Medycznej) armored ambulance, crew of 3, capable of transporting 3 casualties in extended position and 4 more in seated position.
Under existing contracts, between 2002 and January 2015, 977 vehicles were ordered, the final delivery of which was completed in 2019. This list included:
- 359 combat vehicles armed with a 30 mm cannon turret, some of them also armed with Spike anti-tank systems
- 122 combat vehicles armed with an unmanned 30 mm cannon turret and the Spike ATGM
- 516 base vehicles used as the basis for other variants
During the war in Afghanistan, the KTO Rosomak was equipped with additional steel composite armor, upgraded communications equipment, wire cutters in front of the driver's and commander's hatch, external video cameras to improve situational awareness, and a Pilar system for directional enemy fire detection. Due to the additional armor, this version of the modification cannot swim and does not have water propellers.
2005-2008 Modernization
The first Polish made Rosomak IFV from Siemianowice was handed over to the Polish Armed Forces and the Patria Technology Transfer project was finalized. Patria AMV 8x8 manufacturing technology was transferred to Rosomak S.A. The Technology Transfer to Rosomak S.A. was extensive since the company did not have previous experience of modern vehicle production. Entire vehicle production capability was transferred, and Polish industry has been widely utilized for parts and sub-assembly production for the Polish AMV vehicle.
Multiple sub-contractor agreements were formed. These contracts proved to be valuable. Today many of these companies are instrumental suppliers of components to Rosomak vehicles. For example, the chassis and chassis parts were contracted to Komas, Iskra was to provide the bearings, Lotos Oil provided lubricants and fuel, radios and other communication equipment came from Radmor, 12.7 machine guns were supplied by Mechanical Works Tarnow. Scania Poland supplies the engines, hydraulics and pneumatics come from Bosch Rexroth Poland. Stomil in Poznan was to deliver the tire sets and Borimex winches. Darekon selected to supply the dashboard’s for Rosomaks. WZM concluded an agreement with MoD for a prototype of “Afghan” version of Rosomak.
The first batch of Rosomak vehicles arrived to Ghazni, the Polish military base in Afghanistan. Safety of Polish soldiers was prioritized and Ministry of Defence ordered a special “Afghan” variant of the Rosomak vehicle. Poland’s Contribution to the ISAF operation. Polish engagement to ISAF Afghanistan operation consisted of over 130 Rosomak vehicles, all supplied by the Siemianowice plant. It is notable that Rosomak S.A. was also in charge of the logistic support and maintenance of the Rosomak fleet in Afganistan, during the years this has involved in thousands of military and maintenance personnel. This is a practical example that demonstrates how Patria technology and strong local commitment contributes to the national Security of Supply.
An audit in 2012 revealed a number of instances of negligence in carrying out the project by Polish investors, including too many changes in specifications and delivery schedule, inefficient execution of offset requirements from contractors, inept construction of non-hedging contracts adequately the interests of the investor. One of the biggest problems was the lack of a license agreement AMP from the offset, which put into question the continued production of transporter.
In July 2013 was extended by 10 years the license to produce Rosomak the company Patria Land Service. On July 3, 2015. Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz with the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico signed an agreement for the supply of Slovakia in 3 years 30 Rosomak, in the variant Scipio, developed in cooperation with the Slovak company EVPÚ.
2005-2012 Polonization
At the end of 2005 there was a gradual (though not total) Polonization of Rosomaks production. The first copy produced in Poland was presented 14 December 2005. Modules chassis (frame powertrain) originally were produced in Finland, since mid-2007. The company Komas Sp. z oo in Janow Lubelski belongs to the Finnish Komas Oy.
Important milestone of the “Polonization” project was achieved when armored steel plates of Rosomak-vehicle were “Polonized”. The steel was provided by HSJ in Stalowa Wola. By 2009 hundreds of Rosomaks were in constant use in Afghanistan, Chad and Central African Republic. Hundreds of experienced profes-sionals working for Rosomak S.A. worked in rugged environments keeping the Rosomaks running and pro-tecting Polish soldiers.
Rosomak “Afghan” variant was upgraded and this upgrade was based on field experience. Folded mesh screens were added to the sides to provide additional protection against the RPG’s. More field based practi-cal upgrades were also added, including PNK-B observation device to enhance drivers view and situational awareness.
A set of agreements signed between Rosomak S.A. and Patria to extent the production of the KTO Rosomak in Poland with 200 more vehicle units in different variants. Polonization was deepened further as “the per-centage of the Transporter in 2012 was 94 percent in terms of value”. This was achieved with over 120 local companies involved in the supply chain. According to Minister of Defence Mr. Siemoniak, “Rosomak vehicle production employed a total of about 3500 people within WZM S.A. and cooperative companies”.
Rosomak S.A. has become a synonym for quality, therefore Patria ordered dozens of AMV units from Rosomak S.A. to be exported to Arab Emirates. Components for the assembly were provided by Polish supply chains as used by Rosomak S.A., including Fortaco/Komas and Darekon. The original sub-contractors have become trusted suppliers of subframe parts and complete subframes.
Serial production at Siemianowice factory is running and up until 2022. Poland will have up to 900 Rosomak vehicles in a several versions by 2023. The Patria Technology Transfer was concluded in 2005 but production and strong co-operation between Patria and Rosomak S.A. is active and ongoing.
The army ordered 60 Rosomak S armored personnel carriers on 15 September 2020. A version adapted to carry Spike-LR anti-tank guided missile launchers. In the future, It will strengthen the cover of the north-eastern border of Poland. The contract value is PLN 105 million. The deliveries of the equipment will start in 2021 and will last two years.
The Spike-LR anti-tank sets are a weapon developed by the Israeli Rafael in the 1990s. The contract for the supply of the system for the Polish Armed Forces was signed in 2003. At that time, the contract contained offset commitments, which allowed for building conditions for the production of essential parts of the sets in Mesko in Skarzysko. Including propulsion components or warheads. The first ready-to-use Spike sets were delivered to the military in 2004. Currently, they are in approx. 53 percent. manufactured under license by the Mesko company, in cooperation with the Israeli producer - Rafael.
Sales
By July 2016 the Polish and Slovakian governments were negotiating the purchase of eight-wheel drive Rosomak armored modular vehicles (AMV) by Slovakia. The announcement by Poland followed unsubstantiated news reports that Slovakia's Defense Ministry had scrapped the acquisition plan. After information about the deal began to surface from the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Warsaw, an unnamed Slovak Defense Ministry official told Slovakian media outlet SME that the project was "stopped due to military and economic disadvantageousness for Slovakia."
Bartlomiej Misiewicz, the Polish Defense Ministry spokesperson, said negotiations "will be continued, as indicated by the talks by the defense ministers of Poland and Slovakia that took place during NATO's summit in Warsaw." Under the original plan discussed by the two parties, the Slovak military was to acquire 30 vehicles, which are built by the Polish arms manufacturer Rosomak S.A., within a three-year period in what would be the single largest Polish-Slovak military deal in history.
The two governments initially signed a letter of intent to cooperate on military transactions in July 2015. Following the signing, Poland's then-Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz announced that Rosomak S.A. would obtain more than $30 million from the contract. The deal would also bring jobs to the Slovakian economy with the country's defense industry slated to produce the tank's turret. The deal was designed to enable the Slovak Armed Forces to replace the outdated OT-64 SKOT armored personnel carriers first designed in the 1960s.
Slovakia and Russia were long-time allies, potentially complicating the deal as the Polish government under President Andrzej Duda had become increasingly hostile towards Moscow serving as a staging ground for a series of massive wargames along the Polish-Russian border culminating in June with the Anaconda War Games featuring over 30,000 troops unfortunately scheduled for the 75th anniversary of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. The Polish government has called on NATO to provide a permanent troop presence to shield Warsaw from Russian aggression.
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