Polish defense group PGZ has unveiled a demonstrator of its new heavy infantry fighting vehicle, the CBWP, at the MSPO 2026 defense exhibition. The vehicle is also known by its project name, Ratel, and is being developed by Huta Stalowa Wola.
The CBWP marks a clear departure from Poland’s lighter Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle. While the Borsuk weighs around 28 tonnes and can cross water obstacles by swimming, the new platform is far heavier. Its basic combat weight is estimated at 42–44 tonnes and can rise to 48–50 tonnes with the full package of add-on armor.
The heavier design gives up amphibious capability in favor of greater protection. The vehicle is intended primarily to operate alongside heavy armored formations, including brigades equipped with M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks.
The demonstrator displayed at MSPO is fitted with the remotely operated ZSSW-30 weapon station, which is already used on Rosomak armored personnel carriers and Borsuk IFVs.
Its main weapon is a 30 mm Mk44S Bushmaster II automatic cannon produced by Northrop Grumman. The cannon has an effective range of more than 2,000 meters and can be converted relatively quickly to fire 40 mm ammunition.
The turret also carries a twin launcher for Israeli Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles with a range exceeding 4,000 meters. Additional armament includes a 7.62 mm UKM-2000 °C machine gun developed by Poland’s ZM Tarnów and banks of smoke grenade launchers.
The ZSSW-30 is equipped with independent panoramic electro-optical sights for both the commander and gunner. The systems include thermal imaging channels and laser rangefinders, allowing the crew to operate in a hunter-killer mode in which the commander can search for the next target while the gunner engages the one already selected, according to Voennoye Obozreniye.
Other weapon configurations are also under consideration. The CBWP could potentially receive a 105 mm gun and be used as a fire-support vehicle.
The crew consists of three personnel, while the rear compartment can carry up to eight fully equipped infantry troops. The vehicle is 8.1 meters long and 3.58 meters wide in its basic configuration. With additional side protection fitted, its width can increase to 4.2 meters.
Power comes from an MTU 8V199 TE23 turbocharged diesel engine rated at 1,100 horsepower, or 810 kW. The demonstrator is equipped with an automatic transmission supplied by U.S. manufacturer Allison.
The running gear uses passive hydropneumatic suspension with seven road wheels on each side.
The stated protection level allows the vehicle to withstand 30 mm ammunition across the frontal arc. Its armor can be strengthened further with additional protection packages.
In the configuration shown at MSPO, the CBWP meets the requirements of the European SAFE rearmament program, which calls for at least 65% of the technologies used to be developed within the European Union.
According to the developer, serial production of the new heavy infantry fighting vehicle could begin as early as 2029.