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KTO Rosomak
A KTO Rosomak wheeled APC with a Hitfist-30P turret.
Type	armored personnel carrier
Place of origin	Finland  Poland
Service history
Used by	See Operators
Wars	War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) Russo-Ukrainian War
Specifications
Mass	22,000 kg (49,000 lb)
Length	7.7 m (25 ft)
Width	2.8 m (9 ft 2 in)
Height	2.3 m (7 ft 7 in)
Crew	3 (commander, driver, gunner) 6-8 dismounts
Main armament	1 × 30×173 mm ATK Mk44 Bushmaster II gun 2 x ATGM Spike-LR or Javelin (only on ZSSW-30 variant)
Secondary armament	1 × 7.62×51mm NATO UKM-2000C coaxial general purpose machine gun
Engine	Scania DI 12 diesel or Scania DC 13 diesel 405 kW (543 hp) (DI 12) or 610 hp (450 kW) (DC 13)
Power/weight	15.6 kW/t (21.2 PS/t) (max weight)
Suspension	8×8 wheeled
Operational range	800 km (500 mi)
Maximum speed	over 100 km/h (60 mph) on land up to 10 km/h (6.2 mph) in water

The KTO Rosomak (Polish: Kołowy Transporter Opancerzony Rosomak, lit. 'wheeled armored personnel carrier Wolverine') is an 8×8 multi-role military vehicle produced by Rosomak S.A., a Polish Armaments Group company, in Siemianowice Śląskie. The vehicle is a licensed variant of the Finnish Patria AMV.

History

In December 2002, the Polish Ministry of National 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. As part of the initial order, 690 vehicles were to be delivered in two basic variants: 313 combat Armoured Personnel Carriers and 377 transport-special base vehicles. In October 2013, the order was increased to 997, for delivery between 2014 and 2019.

The name "Rosomak", Polish for "Wolverine", was chosen following a contest organized by the Nowa Technika Wojskowa magazine. The Rosomak replaced the obsolete OT-64 SKOT Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and partially the BMP-1 in service with the Polish Land Forces.

It uses the HGPST GPS receiver, from Hertz Systems.

The first export customer of Patria, AMV & WZM SA has the right to export the KTO Rosomak in some markets. In 2006, the KTO Rosomak was tested in Malaysia. In 2023, Poland began supplying the KTO Rosomak to Ukraine, where it has seen battle.

Variants

Combat variants

• Rosomak Hitfist-30P - infantry fighting vehicle with an Oto Melara Hitfist-30P gun turret armed with a 30 mm ATK Mk 44 chain gun and 7.62mm NATO UKM-2000C machine gun. The turret has advanced fire control systems with thermal sights and an Obra laser warning system connected to six 81 mm 902A ZM Dezamet smoke grenade launchers. (313 vehicles initial order, final number of 359 delivered, 60 transferred to Ukraine)
• Rosomak ZSSW-30 - infantry fighting vehicle with Polish designed HSW ZSSW-30 unmanned turret armed with a 30 mm gun Mk 44S, 7.62 mm UKM-2000C machine gun and two Spike-LR ATGM. 128 were ordered by 2024, and first were delivered in December 2023. - standard Rosomak with ZSSW-30 turret, non-amphibious, old platform (70+58 vehicles ordered in two batches)
• Rosomak-L ZSSW-30 - new platform Rosomak with ZSSW-30 turret, amphibious, new engine, larger gross weigh, a variant with an extended hull (increasing overall length by 0.6 m from 7.8 m to 8.4 m), while also featuring other improvements such as new Scania DC13 engine, larger fuel tanks, new water-jet propulsion propellers, an upgraded hatch for the driver-mechanic, improved rearview mirrors, and a water deflector shield. Primary design goal of this variant was to increase buoyancy to restore amphibious capabilities compromised by the added weight of the new ZSSW-30 turret. (80 vehicles ordered so far)

Support variants

• 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 a sitting position. May by deployed one per regular Rosomak company, amphibious (66 vehicles, two batches 37+29)
• Rosomak-WRT - (WRT for Wóz Rozpoznania Technicznego – lit. "technical reconnaissance vehicle") - light technical support vehicle for every Rosomak company, amphibious (44 vehicles )
• Rosomak-S - Armoured personnel carrier variant for two anti-tank teams armed with Spike anti-tank guided missile, amphibious, ATGM team as battalion level support asset (87 vehicles )
• Rosomak-NJ - (NJ for Nauka Jazdy – lit. "driving school"), amphibious (4 vehicles )
• Rosomak WPT - (WPT for Wóz Pomocy Technicznej) - heavy recovery vehicle on mixed platform (short hull, new engine and larger gross weigh, non-amphibious, brigade level technical support asset (18 vehicles )
• Rosomak RSK - (RSK for Rozpoznania Skażeń) - dedicated NBC reconnaissance vehicle (replacement for BRDM-2 RS, 11 vehicles)
• WD Kroton - command vehicles for 18th Mechanized Division, Berberys multispectral camo as standard (command Abrams tanks, 29 vehicles)
• WD Zawilec - command vehicles for 16th Mechanized Division, Berberys multispectral camo as standard (command K2GF tanks, 6 vehicles)

Rak Mortar system

• M120K Rak - 120 mm mortar artillery vehicle, first delivered in July 2017 (123 vehicles )
• Rosomak-AWD - (AWD for Artyleryjski Wóz Dowodzenia – lit. "artillery command vehicle") – Command vehicle for Rak mortar company fire module (61 vehicles )
• Rosomak-AWR - (AWD for Artyleryjski Wóz Rozpoznania – lit. "artillery recon vehicle") – Reconesanse vehicle for Rak mortar company fire module (31 vehicles )

Rak mortar company fire module is used as battalion level support asset. Every company module has 8 gun vehicles, 4 command vehicles and 2 reconesanse/fire control vehicles. 3 full company modules were transferred to Ukraine (with total of 24 gun vehicles).

ISAF related variants

• Rosomak -M1 and M1M - A variant of standard combat vehicle with Hitfist-30P turret system modified for war in Afghanistan was called "Rosomak"-M1, equipped with additional steel-composite armour, upgraded communications (two radios as standard), wire cutters in front of driver and commander hatch, video cameras showing the back and sides of vehicle on two LCD screens in troop compartment, and a Pilar system that detects the direction of fire. Because of additional armor, this variant is no longer amphibious and has no water propellers. The variant was further upgraded to a standard known as M1M. The most noticeable change was the addition of QinetiQ RPGNet anti-RPG net and new "sand" camouflage. Other changes included installation of Duke anti-IED system and Blue Force Tracking BMS system (systems on loan from the US Army). All older ("green") M1 standard Rosomaks also received RPGNet. All vehicles were reverted to standard configuration.
• Rosomak -M2 and M3 - APC variant equiped with gun turret with 40 mm Mk-19 grenade launcher or 12.7 mm NSW/WKM-B heavy machine gun. The M2 variant was amphibious, with the base armor protection as on amphibious Hitfist-30P variant, equipped with light OSS-M turret, and intended to be used by European Union mission in Chad. The M3 variant was non-amhbious and had heavier armor equivalent to ISAF Rosomak-M1 variant. It was equipped with heavier OSS-D gun turret. Often was field modified to carry both the 12,7 NSV HMG and 7,62 UKM-2000 GPMG. Usually the M3 variant was carrying the jamming equipment as it was easier to have electronic compatibility on simpler vehicle than on M1 variant with big 30 mm turret. (courently 39 M3 variant vehicles in the inventory)
• Rosomak -WEM and WEM-M - Vehicles deployed to Afganistan ISAF mission were up armored to the same level as M1 variant. The WEM-M variant for Afghanistan was equipped with additional RPGNet, as with the M1M variant. ISAF variants were no longer amphibious. All vehicles were reverted to standard configuration.
• Rosomak-WSRiD - (WSRiD for Wielosensorowy System Rozpoznania i Dozoru – lit. "multisensory reconnaissance and supervision system") - advanced vehicle with electronic equipment used to protect forward fire bases. (4 vehicles )

Gallery

• Rosomak-AWD
• Rosomak-M1 (early ISAF variant)
• Rosomak-M2 (European Union mission in Chad)
• Rosomak-WEM
• WD Kroton
• M120K Rak
• Rosomak-WRT
• Basic KTO Rosomak
• 

Combat history

War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

The Polish Land Forces contingent, part of the International Security Assistance Force, operated over 100 KTO Rosomak vehicles, including five medevac versions, during the Afghanistan War. The APCs were equipped with additional steel-composite armor. In early 2008, a Polish Rosomak serving in Afghanistan, the version with upgraded armor, was attacked by the Taliban. The vehicle was hit by RPG-7 rockets, but managed to fire back and returned to base without requiring assistance.

In June 2008, the Taliban attacked a Rosomak with an RPG, hitting it in its frontal armor without penetrating it. In 2009, the first soldier was reported killed while traveling in a Rosomak after an improvised explosive device exploded under the vehicle, which rolled over and crushed the gunner who had been standing in the open turret. Similar attacks had occurred before but had failed to inflict casualties.

European Union mission in Chad (2007–2008)

European Union Force Chad/CAR

Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022-)

• The Polish government announced in April 2023 it would provide the Ukrainian government with 200 KTO Rosomak. It was reported that the Ukrainian army’s 21st Mechanized Brigade began receiving the first batch of these 25-ton, eight-wheel APCs in July 2023.
• According to Oryx blog, at least 5 such units were destroyed and 1 was damaged during the ongoing Ukraine War.

Operators

Current operators

•  Poland: 999 vehicles delivered or on order in 16 different configurations, total of 1101 vehicles in Rosomak program of that 102 transferred to Ukraine. Unknown number of permanent loses in Afghanistan.
•  United Arab Emirates: 40 AMV Patria manufactured in Poland.
•  Ukraine: Ukraine recived 102 Rosomak vehicles from Polish Land Forces Inventory:
  • 60 combat vehicles with Hitfist-30P turret
  • 24 M120K Rak Mortar System gun vehicles
  • 12 AWD command vehicles
  • 6 AWR fire controll vehicles

Failed bids

•  Slovenia: competition for up to 106 APC with a budget of €700 million after rejecting the contract for the Boxer. The finalists of the competition are the Piranha V, the Freccia, the Rosomak L and the Patria AMV. Initially the Rosomak was considered, but issues were experienced with getting the certification for the vehicles' undercarriage. In the end Patria AMVxp was chosen.

See also

Comparable vehicles

• Stryker – (United States, Canada)
• LAV III/LAV AFV/LAV-25/ASLAV – (Australia)
• K808 White Tiger – (South Korea)
• Boxer – (Germany, Netherlands)
• Freccia IFV – (Italy)
• BTR-90 – (Russia)
• CM-32 armoured vehicle – (Taiwan)
• Type 96 armored personnel carrier – (Japan)
• Type 16 maneuver combat vehicle – (Japan)
• Patria AMV – (Finland)
• BTR-4 – (Ukraine)
• Saur 2 – (Romania)
• VBCI – (France)
• FNSS Pars – (Turkey)
• Mowag Piranha – (Switzerland)
• TATA Kestrel – (India)

References

1. "KTO Rosomak". Gdzie zaczyna się wojsko…. 19 September 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
2. "Po epoce Rosomaka czas na Borsuka?". DziennikZbrojny.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 7 July 2020.
3. Administrator. "Polish Rosomak 8x8 Armored Vehicles Used in Ukraine Show High Protecti". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
4. "Dodatkowy batalion Rosomaków z ZSSW-30". Nowa Technika Wojskowa (in Polish). No. 7/2024. July 2024. p. 9.
5. "Poland Could Acquire Upgraded Rosomak-L Armored Personnel Carriers". armyrecognition.com. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
6. "Poland to sign major contracts for Rosomak APC fitted with new ZSSW-30 turret". armyrecognition.com. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
7. "Косиняк-Камыш: Польша закупит 80 БТР Rosomak стоимостью более миллиарда долларов". ВПК.name (in Russian). 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
8. "Wojsko odbiera medyczne Rosomaki" (in Polish).
9. ^ "Rosomaka historia niezamknięta. Mity i fakty" (in Polish).
10. Wilk, Remigiusz (3 July 2017). "Poland receives first Rak 120 mm mortar vehicles". IHS Jane's 360. Warsaw. Archived from the original on 17 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
11. "Wóz Dowodzenia kompanijnego modułu ogniowego 120 MM — Rosomak Spółka Akcyjna w 8Siemianowicach Śląskich". www.rosomaksa.pl. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
12. "Afghanistan: 14 lipca dotrą dodatkowe pancerze dla Rosomaków". Retrieved 4 November 2014.
13. Axe, David. "Polish-Made Fighting Vehicles Have Arrived In Ukraine". Forbes. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
14. "Attack on Europe: Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During the Russian Invasion of Ukraine".
15. "Rosomaki z Polski dla Zjednoczonych Emiratów Arabskich. Zakończono dostawę 40 wozów". 21 June 2016.
16. "The Slovenia Times". sloveniatimes.com. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
17. "The Slovenia Times". sloveniatimes.com. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
18. "(Pre)dragi boxerji in vrnitev k Patrii | 24ur.com". www.24ur.com (in Slovenian). Retrieved 14 August 2024.

External links

• Armoured Modular Vehicles (include KTO Rosomak) on Rosomak official webpage

• Wheeled infantry fighting vehicles
• Wheeled armoured personnel carriers
• Amphibious armoured personnel carriers
• Eight-wheeled vehicles
• Military vehicles introduced in the 2000s
• Wheeled amphibious armoured fighting vehicles
• Armoured personnel carriers of Poland
• Infantry fighting vehicles of Poland
• Amphibious infantry fighting vehicles
• Infantry fighting vehicles of the post–Cold War period
• Armoured fighting vehicles of the post–Cold War period