Poland is developing a new heavy infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) that reflects a growing emphasis on enhanced battlefield survivability.
Designated Ratel, the vehicle is engineered to withstand direct hits from medium-caliber weapons, including 30mm Bushmaster automatic cannons, at ranges of up to 500 meters.
In its standard configuration, Ratel has a combat weight of approximately 42 tonnes, with a designed growth potential of up to 48 tonnes.
This six-tonne growth margin allows for the integration of additional armor packages, active protection systems, and mission-specific equipment, providing flexibility beyond the baseline configuration.
Ratel closely follows the design heritage of Poland’s Borsuk IFV, which has only recently entered operational service.
Both platforms share a common chassis, propulsion system, and combat subsystems, simplifying logistics, training, and long-term maintenance.
The vehicles are equipped with a pneumatic-hydraulic suspension system featuring seven road wheels per side, powered by an upgraded MTU 8V199 engine delivering 1,070 horsepower.
For armament, Ratel is expected to be fitted with the ZSSW-30 remote-controlled turret, also used on the Borsuk and other Polish armored vehicles, ensuring fleet-wide commonality.
The Ratel program forms part of a wider Polish Army modernization effort aimed at fielding approximately 1,400 new armored vehicles.
Of these, more than 1,000 are projected to be IFVs, with the remainder comprising specialized motorized platforms.
Prototype trials are scheduled to begin by the end of 2026.
