Borsuks, Abrams tanks, K2s, rockets and drones on the Wisłostrada. Polish Army land parade

The column was opened by vehicles of the Military Police, including patrol cars, Kawasaki motorcycles, Toyota Hilux off-road vehicles, Polaris ATVs, and SandCat light armoured vehicles used, among others, by special forces units.

Reconnaissance, Special Forces, and the TDF

In the section dedicated to the Territorial Defence Forces (TDF) and reconnaissance subunits, motorcycles, Polaris ATVs, and Kleszcz (Tick) Light Armoured Reconnaissance Carriers were presented. Also passing before the public were Żmija (Viper) long-range reconnaissance vehicles, Legwan (Iguana) light vehicles, and the Kafar Aero, which can be transported under a helicopter and dropped on a special parachute platform.

Special forces displayed M-ATV MRAP vehicles of the Military Unit AGAT and C2 assault ramps. These systems enable the rapid insertion of operators onto roofs and higher floors of buildings, as well as onto aircraft decks.

The Navy on land

Equipment from the Navy also appeared on the Wisłostrada. Vehicles from the Naval Missile Unit, equipped with NSM anti-ship missiles, and ZU-23 anti-aircraft sets were presented.

The column also included hydrographic and geodetic support systems, the Homar-2 measurement set, the ZBOAT autonomous surface unit, and underwater vehicles: Głuptak, Ukwiał, Hugin, Gavia, and V8500M. Furthermore, equipment for combat engineers and clearance divers was shown, including the TRI engineering reconnaissance carrier, WD-95 and Łowcza-3 command vehicles, PTS-M carriers, and selected types of naval mines.

Rosomaks and air defence

Among the most important elements of the parade were ten Rosomak Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) equipped with ZSSW-30 unmanned turrets featuring a 30 mm cannon and Spike anti-tank guided missile launchers. They were accompanied by Zawilec command vehicles and Rosomak-S vehicles designed to transport anti-tank teams.

Also presented on the Wisłostrada were elements of the Polish multi-layered air defence: the Patriot system, Pilica missile-artillery sets, and Poprad self-propelled sets armed with Grom or Piorun missiles.

Long-range missiles

Wheeled artillery was represented by Rak self-propelled mortars along with command vehicles and artillery reconnaissance vehicles. Next, eight WR-40 Langusta launchers appeared, capable of firing 122 mm rockets at a range of up to approximately 40 km.

Significantly greater range is provided by the Homar-K and Homar-A systems being introduced into the Polish Armed Forces. Six Homar-K launchers, based on the South Korean K239 Chunmoo and the Polish Jelcz chassis, were preceded by a Waran command vehicle. The system can use various types of ammunition, including missiles with a range of approximately 290 km.

Six Homar-A launchers, which are American HIMARS systems, along with M1152 C2 command vehicles, also drove before the public. This is one of the key elements of the precision long-range strike capabilities being developed by the Polish Armed Forces.

Borsuk and three types of tanks

The most spectacular part of the ground parade was opened by ten new Borsuk (Badger) infantry fighting vehicles. The amphibious vehicles developed by Huta Stalowa Wola are equipped with ZSSW-30 turrets and are intended to gradually replace the currently used BWP-1s.

Following the Borsuks were the three primary types of main battle tanks of the Polish Armed Forces – ten each of the Leopard 2PL, South Korean K2GF, and American M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams. The display reflected the current period of transformation for the Land Forces, which are simultaneously implementing new designs and modernising existing weaponry.

Allied force vehicles also participated in the parade, including additional Abramses, British Supacat Jackal reconnaissance vehicles, and Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns with 35 mm cannons.

Krab and K9 – heavy artillery

The next part of the column consisted of barrel artillery systems. Eight South Korean K9A1 howitzers and eight Krab howitzers produced by Huta Stalowa Wola were presented.

Both systems utilise 155 mm L/52 guns and can strike targets at ranges exceeding 40 km – depending on the ammunition used. The howitzers were accompanied by tracked command vehicles providing communication, operational planning, and fire control for artillery subunits.

Drones as a separate part of the parade

One of the most interesting elements of the event was the extensive column of unmanned systems. It was opened by vehicles of the Gladius system – command vehicles and launchers on the Waran chassis. FT-5 reconnaissance platforms and BSP-U strike platforms were also shown.

Subsequent vehicles presented systems such as FlyEye, Warmate 3, and Warmate 5, the FF-10 Punktor FPV drone, the MT-21 Wizjer (Viewfinder), and Orbiter 2B. The column also included the Kuna unmanned multi-purpose ground platform and the AS-3 Merops interceptor drone, designed to combat unmanned aerial vehicles, including Shahed-class targets.

The ground part of the parade was completed by vehicles of the engineering and logistics troops: PFM pontoon parks, MS-20 bridges, Baobab-K scattered minelaying systems, Hermes contamination reconnaissance stations, fire and rescue vehicles, and Rosomaks in the medical evacuation version.