Poland Unveils CBWP Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle Tech Demonstrator at MSPO 2026

At the MSPO 2026 defense exhibition in Kielce, Poland's PGZ and Huta Stalowa Wola unveiled a full-scale technology demonstrator of the Ciężki Bojowy Wóz Piechoty (CBWP), or Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Weighing between 40 and 43 tonnes, the CBWP is designed to prioritize heavy ballistic and mine protection over amphibious capabilities, allowing it to operate directly alongside M1 Abrams and K2 Black Panther main battle tanks in high-intensity combat. Armed with a remote ZSSW-30 turret featuring a 30mm Bushmaster II cannon and Spike-LR anti-tank missiles, the vehicle addresses survivability lessons from the war in Ukraine. PGZ plans to test two fully functional prototypes in 2027, aiming for serial production readiness by 2029 to fulfill a potential Polish domestic requirement of up to 700 vehicles while positioning the platform for export.

// Background

The war in Ukraine has highlighted a critical survivability gap between heavily armored main battle tanks and lighter infantry fighting vehicles, which are highly vulnerable to modern threats like loitering munitions, FPV drones, mines, and ATGMs. As Poland rapidly modernizes its land forces with heavy US M1 Abrams and South Korean K2 tanks, its military requires a heavily armored IFV capable of surviving in the same high-intensity battlespace to support combined-arms operations. This has driven the development of the CBWP to complement the lighter, amphibious Borsuk IFV.

// Key Developments

• Poland's PGZ and Huta Stalowa Wola debuted a full-scale technology demonstrator of the CBWP heavy IFV at MSPO 2026.
• Weighing 40 to 43 tonnes, the CBWP is roughly 12 tonnes heavier than Poland's amphibious Borsuk IFV, trading amphibious capability for superior armor.
• The vehicle features a 1,000-plus horsepower engine, a seven-axle tracked chassis, and carries a crew of three plus up to eight infantry troops.
• Armament consists of the unmanned ZSSW-30 turret with a 30mm Bushmaster II cannon, programmable ammunition, and Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles.
• Survivability features include STANAG-compliant ballistic/mine protection, mine-resistant seats, laser warning systems, and optional Active Protection Systems (APS).
• Two fully functional prototypes are scheduled for 2027, with PGZ targeting serial production readiness by 2029 for a projected Polish order of 700 units.