Poland unveiled a full-scale demonstrator of its new 40-ton Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle (CBWP) at MSPO 2026 on September 8, 2026, marking a pivotal step in its defense industry’s shift from importer to exporter. The vehicle, developed by Huta Stalowa Wola under PGZ, aims to complement lighter IFVs like the Borsuk while enhancing survivability against modern threats.
A New Era for Polish Defense
Poland’s defense sector is undergoing a transformation, driven by the European Union’s Security Action For Europe (SAFE) scheme, which has allocated up to €43.7 billion ($50.8 billion) for military acquisitions. Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized this shift at MSPO 2026, stating, Poland is becoming a country that not only buys military gear from the world, but is also its major producer.
The CBWP demonstrator, unveiled at the Kielce exhibition, exemplifies this ambition, showcasing Poland’s growing capability to design and export advanced combat platforms. We have reached a level of fifty-fifty [between domestic military gear purchases and imports]. This would not happen without the SAFE mechanism,
Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
This Is Poland’s New Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Design and Capabilities
The CBWP, weighing between 40 and 43 tons, prioritizes survivability over amphibious mobility, a departure from the 28-ton Borsuk. Adam Leszkiewicz, president of PGZ’s management board, highlighted its advanced ballistic and mine protection, stating, 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.
The vehicle features a tracked chassis with seven road wheels, a 1,000-horsepower engine, and a ZSSW-30 remotely controlled turret armed with a 30 mm cannon and Spike-LR anti-tank missiles. Survivability is a central focus, with provisions for an active protection system (APS) and blast-attenuating seats, reflecting lessons from modern warfare. This is a modern platform, with a weight of between 40 and 43 tons, which maximizes troop protection,
a PGZ representative told Defense News. The CBWP is designed to operate alongside U.S. M1 Abrams and European main battle tanks, providing protected mobility and firepower in high-intensity combat.
Export Ambitions and Strategic Context
The CBWP is positioned as a flagship product for this expansion. The vehicle’s modular design allows customization for different operational needs, with plans to present the vehicle’s prototype next year, and it could enter serial production in 2029. The CBWP also aligns with Poland’s broader military modernization, which includes acquiring U.S.-made Abrams tanks and F-35 fighter jets. However, the vehicle’s emphasis on survivability underscores a strategic shift: while Poland remains a major buyer of foreign equipment, it is increasingly leveraging EU funding and domestic innovation to build a self-sufficient defense industry.
Poland’s in-development fighting vehicle carries newfound defense-export drive
Technical Details and Development Timeline
The CBWP, known in Polish as Ciężki Bojowy Wóz Piechoty (CBWP), was unveiled by PGZ and Huta Stalowa Wola at MSPO 2026 in Kielce. The vehicle, developed by Huta Stalowa Wola, is intended to enter serial production after prototype testing, with readiness targeted for 2029. The public debut came one year after Huta Stalowa Wola presented a quarter-scale model of the vehicle at the same exhibition. The CBWP’s design prioritizes high-intensity warfare, with firepower, protection, and tactical mobility as key requirements. It is intended to transport mechanized infantry, protect troops, and provide direct fire support, including during operations alongside armored units. Combat weight exceeds 40 tonnes and varies according to the modular armor configuration. The design uses a tracked chassis with seven pairs of road wheels and an engine producing more than 1,000 horsepower. The demonstrator is equipped with the ZSSW-30 remotely controlled turret system, which can also accommodate other turret and weapon configurations. The modular approach gives PGZ scope to alter the vehicle’s protection and armament for future users. The program will now move toward the construction of two prototypes and a series of trials, with Huta Stalowa Wola and PGZ aiming to complete that work in time to establish serial production readiness in 2029.
Regional and Diplomatic Implications
Poland’s PGZ unveils full-scale Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle at
The CBWP’s development reflects Poland’s strategic alignment with NATO and its pursuit of military self-reliance. The vehicle is designed to operate alongside U.S. M1 Abrams and European main battle tanks, such as the South Korean K2, enhancing interoperability with allied forces. This aligns with Poland’s broader efforts to strengthen its defense posture in response to regional security challenges, including the threat posed by Russia. The CBWP’s emphasis on survivability also highlights lessons learned from contemporary conflicts, where armored vehicles face threats from anti-tank guided missiles, mines, and drones. The vehicle’s active protection system and advanced armor are intended to address these risks, ensuring that Polish forces can operate effectively in high-intensity combat scenarios.
Challenges and Uncertainties
Despite its promise, the CBWP’s success hinges on overcoming technical and financial hurdles. PGZ plans to construct two prototypes and conduct trials before 2029, but delays in development or production could impact timelines. Additionally, the vehicle’s export potential depends on global demand and competition from established defense firms. While the SAFE scheme provides critical funding, Poland’s ability to scale production and secure international contracts remains unproven. One unresolved question is how the CBWP will integrate with existing Polish military assets. The vehicle’s heavy weight and complex systems may require infrastructure upgrades, while its role in combined-arms operations remains to be tested. The Polish Ministry of National Defence has ordered 257 Borsuks from PGZ, with deliveries of up to 1,400 units of the platform in different variants envisioned in a 2023 framework agreement. However, the CBWP’s target of 700 heavy IFVs remains conditional on successful development and procurement processes.
The CBWP represents a significant milestone in Poland’s defense industry, combining domestic innovation with strategic partnerships to meet modern battlefield demands. As the vehicle progresses through prototype testing and trials, its potential to enhance Poland’s military capabilities and export prospects will become clearer. The program’s success will depend on its ability to balance technical performance, cost efficiency, and operational flexibility in an increasingly competitive global defense market.
