The Polish companies PK MIL from the Ponar-Wadowice group and Szczęśniak Pojazdy Specjalne from Bielsko-Biała have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding the planned collaboration in selecting and adapting chassis for the production of 155 mm self-propelled howitzers. The two companies announced this on Tuesday. After delivering 45 heavy recovery and maintenance vehicles to the Swedish Armed Forces, this marks another venture in which they pool their forces on the defense procurement market.
A major milestone in the further development of the cooperation will be the start of production of the Ukrainian 155-mm self-propelled howitzer Bohdana, which has been used for years in the war in Ukraine. The system, developed by Kramatorsk Heavy Machinery Plant, is expected to gain export potential thanks to the commitment of the Polish companies. According to the press release, the global market for such vehicles, taking into account orders and tender procedures for self-propelled howitzers reported in recent months, is estimated at several thousand units per year in the coming years.
Self-propelled howitzers, recovery, rescue and firefighting vehicles
Szczęśniak Pojazdy Specjalne has in recent weeks also signed agreements with the Finnish company SISU Auto, with the aim of jointly developing military recovery vehicles as well as armored rescue and firefighting vehicles. The family-owned company from Bielsko-Biała will also be responsible for developing and producing the STAR Hyperion 8×8 tactical and armored vehicles. It specializes in the development and manufacture of, among other things, heavy recovery and repair vehicles for the armed forces as well as modern firefighting vehicles.
Ponar Wadowice has been named as a company in the Polish defense industry designated for technology transfer in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of components in the South Korean K2 battle tanks. Together with Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), Ponar will develop hydro-pneumatic suspension systems designed to meet the requirements of Jelcz’s wheeled platforms.
