Poland’s PGZ unveils Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle tech demonstrator

Full-scale technology demonstrator for the Ciężki Bojowy Wóz Piechoty unveiled at MSPO 2026. (Bartosz Głowacki)

KIELCE — For the first time attendees at Poland’s MSPO defense exhibition got a peek at a full-sized demonstrator for the Ciężki Bojowy Wóz Piechoty (CBWP) or Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle under development by Huta Stalowa Wola, part of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ).

“The demonstrator presented today confirms that Polish companies possess the expertise to design and develop advanced combat platforms that meet the demands of the modern battlefield,” said Adam Leszkiewicz, president of the Management Board of PGZ. At a previous MSPO only a 1:4 scale model was present.

In a press release , PGZ said the vehicle will accommodate a crew of three and can carry up to eight troops. Its main task is to “safely transport, protect, and provide direct fire support to mechanized infantry units.” To do that, it’s armed with an unmanned ZSSW-30 turret equipped with a 30mm cannon, SPIKE anti-tank missiles, and programmable munition (ABM), meant to provide effective engagement of ground and air targets and enables precision fire both day and night.

“The vehicle represents a direct response to current operational and strategic challenges, focusing on three key pillars: maximizing firepower, ensuring the highest level of crew protection, and maintaining high maneuverability,” PGZ said.

According to PGZ representatives, the vehicle weighs approximately 12 tons more than the Borsuk (which weighs approximately 28 tons), placing the CBWP in the class of heavy infantry fighting vehicles operated by NATO armies.

The protection systems are complemented by an optional Active Protection System, laser detection modules, such as the OBRA-3, integrated with smoke grenade launchers, as well as an Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) protection system. Additional protection is provided by advanced ballistic and mine protection solutions compliant with STANAG standards and specialized mine-resistant seats that reduce the effects of explosions under the chassis.

Currently, there is sole operational demonstrator of the new CBWP, which will soon undergo factory trials. The company said the next step is the construction of two fully functional prototypes. Both prototypes are expected to be ready in 2027, and they will also undergo intensive testing.

PGZ wants to be ready for production, if an order is placed, perhaps as early as 2029, although this will depend on test results, any modifications made during development, and negotiations with the potential customer.

Ciężki Bojowy Wóz Piechoty 的全尺寸技术演示器在 MSPO 2026 上亮相。 (Bartosz Głowacki)

基尔策——波兰 MSPO 防务展的与会者首次看到了 Ciężki Bojowy Wóz Piechoty (CBWP) 或重型步兵战车的全尺寸演示车，该车由 Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) 旗下的 Huta Stalowa Wola 开发。

“今天展示的样机证实，波兰公司拥有设计和开发满足现代战场需求的先进作战平台的专业技术，”PGZ管理委员会主席亚当·莱什凯维奇表示。此前在MSPO展会上，仅展出了一个1:4比例的模型。

PGZ公司在一份新闻稿中表示，该车辆可容纳三名乘员，并可搭载多达八名士兵。其主要任务是“安全运输、保护机械化步兵部队，并为其提供直接火力支援”。为此，该车配备了一座无人驾驶的ZSSW-30炮塔，炮塔上装有30毫米火炮、“长钉”（SPIKE）反坦克导弹和可编程反导弹药（ABM），旨在有效打击地面和空中目标，并实现昼夜精确射击。

“该车辆是对当前作战和战略挑战的直接回应，重点关注三个关键支柱：最大限度地发挥火力，确保最高水平的乘员保护，以及保持高机动性，”PGZ表示。

据 PGZ 代表称，该车辆比 Borsuk（重约 28 吨）重约 12 吨，使 CBWP 跻身北约军队使用的重型步兵战车之列。

该防护系统还包括可选的主动防护系统、激光探测模块（例如与烟雾弹发射器集成的OBRA-3）以及核生化防护系统。此外，符合STANAG标准的先进弹道和地雷防护解决方案以及可降低底盘下方爆炸影响的专用防雷座椅，也提供了额外的防护。

目前，新型CBWP仅有一台可运行的演示样机，即将进行工厂试验。该公司表示，下一步是建造两台功能齐全的原型机。这两台原型机预计将于2027年完成，并将接受密集测试。

PGZ希望在接到订单后能够做好生产准备，最早可能在2029年，但这取决于测试结果、开发过程中所做的任何修改以及与潜在客户的谈判。