A new heavy infantry fighting vehicle under development in Poland is highlighting the country’s shift toward greater protection and survivability on the modern battlefield.
The vehicle, known as Ratel, is designed to resist direct fire from medium-caliber artillery systems, including 30mm Bushmaster cannons, at distances of around 500 meters.
Ratel’s baseline combat weight is estimated at 42 tonnes, with structural provisions allowing the vehicle to grow to roughly 48 tonnes.
This additional six-tonne capacity enables the installation of enhanced armor solutions, active protection systems, and mission-tailored equipment, giving the platform significant growth potential.
The design builds directly on the proven architecture of the Borsuk IFV, which has only recently begun entering service with the Polish Armed Forces.
Ratel and Borsuk share key components, including the chassis, drivetrain, and combat systems, helping reduce logistical complexity and maintenance demands.
Both vehicles employ a pneumatic-hydraulic suspension with seven road wheels on each side and are powered by a strengthened MTU 8V199 engine rated at 1,070 horsepower.
In terms of firepower, Ratel is planned to carry the ZSSW-30 remotely operated weapon station, the same system fielded on the Borsuk and other Polish armored platforms, reinforcing interoperability across the fleet.
Ratel is being developed as part of a broader modernization initiative that envisions the acquisition of around 1,400 new armored vehicles for the Polish Army.
More than 1,000 of these are expected to be infantry fighting vehicles, with the balance made up of specialized and support variants.
Prototype testing of the Ratel IFV is planned for completion by the end of 2026.
