The Armament Inspectorate of the Polish Ministry of Defence announced that it has launched a tendering procedure concerning semi-trailer-based main battle tank/armored vehicle transporters. The process may concern more than 100 vehicles, Defence24 reports.

IVECO Trakker tank transporter of the Polish army (Picture source: Wikimedia)

The whole procedure refers to 31 trailer/vehicle sets along with a logistics and training package. The procurement may be subjected to further extension - and another 78 sets could also be purchased. Up to 109 vehicle-trailer sets as such could be acquired then, capable of transporting heavy armor. The Polish army is currently using a couple of semi-trailer tractors, including 55 Iveco Trakkers (MP720T50WT and MP720T48WT), 6 Faun SLT 50-2 Elefants (procured alongside the Leopard 2 MBTs), and 9 Mercedes-Benz Actros 3353AS, along with single examples of MAN 40.464 DFAT and Volvo FL12H.

Furthermore, last year an agreement was signed with PGZ’s Jelcz S.A. company, concerning 14 armored transport vehicles, with the right of option envisaging acquisition of another 9 plus 3 extra tractors, without the trailers. According to the arrangements that had been made in the aforesaid agreement, the deliveries of the Jelcz products are to begin this year and last until 2022.

Concerning the technical requirements, the new transporters shall be able to carry vehicles weighing at least 60 tonnes, meaning that they should be capable of carrying Challenger 2 or Leopard 2 MBTs, for example. Other technical requirements include all-wheel-drive and run-flat tires.

If the procurement procedure beginning now (with submissions being accepted until 16th June) is successful, and the right of option is exercised, then the number of heavy armor transporters of this class in the Polish army would be doubled. This remains in line with the current NATO doctrine that places a major emphasis on logistics and capability of rapid deployment of forces to the European Eastern Flank.