KTO Rosomak

The KTO Rosomak (KTO for Kołowy Transporter Opancerzony - lit. Wheeled Armored Vehicle; Rosomak is Polish for Wolverine) is 8x8 multi-role military vehicle produced by WZM S.A. (Wojskowe Zakłady Mechaniczne Spółka Akcyjna w Siemianowicach Śląskich - lit. Military Mechanical Works Joint Stock Company in Siemianowice Śląskie). The vehicle is a licensed variant of Patria's Armored Modular Vehicle.

History

In December 2002, the Polish Ministry of Defense signed a contract to buy 690 Patria AMV vehicles, to be manufactured in Poland. The main competitors of the AMV were the MOWAG Piranha and Steyr Pandur. The Polish version features major changes from the original Patria AMV, such as the ability to be transported by C-130 Hercules or to swim through water obstacles. As part of the initial order of 690 vehicles (later increased to 895^[1]) will be delivered in two basic variants:

• 313 combat vehicles armed with a 30mm gun turret, later on the number of vehicles for this variant was increased by 3;
• 377 base line vehicles used as a base for other variants.

Additional 205 vehicles in an unspecified variant will be ordered in the 2014-2018 time frame (after the original order is completed).^[2] The name Rosomak (Polish for Wolverine) was chosen following a contest organized by the Nowa Technika Wojskowa magazine. The Rosomak will replace obsolete OT-64 SKOT APCs and partially the BWP-1 IFV currently in service with Polish Land Forces.^[3]

Variants

KTO Rosomak

Infantry fighting vehicle variant with to Oto Melara Hitfist-30P gun turret armed with 30mm ATK Mk 44 chain gun and 7.62mm NATO UKM-2000C machine gun. The turret has advanced fire control system with thermal sight and Obra laser warning system connected to six 81 mm 902A ZM Dezamet smoke grenade launchers.

KTO Rosomak-M1M

Infantry fighting vehicle variant modified for war in Afghanistan equipped with additional steel-composite armor, upgraded communications, wire cutters in front of driver and commander hatch, video cameras showing back and sides of vehicle on two LCD screens in troop compartment, Pilar system that detects the direction of fire. Because of additional armor this variant cannot float and has no water propellers. This variant was further upgraded to standard known as M1M. Most noticeable change is addition of QinetiQ RPGNet anit RPG net and new "sand" camouflage. Other changes include installation of Duke anti IED system and Blue Force Tracking BMS system (systems on loan from US Army). All older ("green") Rosomaks in M1 standard also received RPG Net.

KTO Rosomak-M3

Armored personnel carrier variant modified for mission in Afghanistan equipped with similar task equipment (including additional armor) as M1 variant. The main difference is that this variant is equipped with OSS-D open turret with 40 mm Mk-19 grenade launcher or 12.7 mmNSV heavy machine gun.

KTO Rosomak-WEM

(WEM for Wóz Ewakuacji Medycznej – lit. Medical Evacuation Vehicle) - armored ambulance vehicle with crew of 3, capable of transporting 3 injured soldiers on stretchers and an additional four in sitting position. The WEM-M variant for Afghanistan was equipped with additional armor and RPGNet same as in M1M variant.

KTO Rosomak-S

Armored personnel carrier variant for two anti-tank teams armed with Spike anti-tank guided missile.

KTO Rosomak-WD

(WD for Wóz Dowodzenia – lit. Command Vehicle) - command vehicle for battalion commander. Demo vehicle prepared by WB Electronics was shown in late 2008 r.

KTO Rosomak-Łowcza

Air defence command vehicle equipped with Łowcza system. Similar to ZWD-10R Łowcza-3.

Combat history

War in Afghanistan (2001–present)

• The Polish Land Forces contingent, which is a part of the International Security Assistance Force are now operating at place over 100 KTO Rosomak vehicles (including 5 medivac) in Afghanistan. The APC's were equipped with additional steel-composite armor. In early 2008 a Polish Rosomak serving in Afghanistan (the version with upgraded armor) was attacked by Taliban rebels. The vehicle was hit two times with a RPG-7 rocket but it managed to fire back and returned to base without any help required.^[4] In June 2008 a Rosomak was attacked by Taliban and was hit in its frontal armor with a RPG. The armour was not penetrated.
• Since October 2010 a platoon, consisting of Svarun vehicles, has been sent to Afghanistan to support the Slovenian OMLT.^[5]

European Union mission in Chad (2007–2008)

European Union Force Chad/CAR

Operators

Poland is the sole user of KTO Rosomak but as the first export customer of Patria AMV WZM S.A has a right to sell KTO Rosomak on export in some markets. In 2006 KTO Rosomak was tested in Malaysia.

Units equipped with KTO Rosomak:

• 12 Brygada Zmechanizowana (12th Mechanized Brigade - crews of IIIrd turn in Afghanistan are from this unit) - Szczecin (second user)
• 17 Wielkopolska Brygada Zmechanizowana (17th Mechanized Brigade) - Międzyrzecz (first user, vehicles and crews for first and second turn in Afghanistan and Chad are from this unit)

References