Armed Forces
Krab Howitzers and Beyond. Record-breaking Contracts for Stalowa Wola
Photo. kpr. Sławomir Kozioł / 18 Dywizja Zmechanizowana / zoom.mon.gov.pl
Yesterday, several contracts were signed in Stalowa Wola for the supply of equipment to the Polish Armed Forces, including nearly one hundred Krab self-propelled howitzers in two versions. The total value of the contracts will exceed 17 billion PLN.
The first contract concerns the delivery of 96 Krab howitzers to the Polish Army for four battery fire modules, Regina. Each module consists of 24 howitzers. The first two modules, i.e., 48 howitzers, will be delivered in the existing configuration.
The subsequent Krabs will receive a range of modifications: a mechanized ammunition and charge supply system (autoloader), a new laser warning receiver system named C-Obra, and an active soft-kill protection system, the Rheinmetall ROSY solution. Additionally, the new variant of the Krab will feature a 360-degree observation system and a remotely controlled weapon station with a heavy WKM-Bm in 12.7 mm machine gun.
Along with the howitzers, accompanying support vehicles will also be supplied: command vehicles (WD), command-staff vehicles (WDSz) based on a light tracked chassis, artillery ammunition supply vehicles (AWA), and repair workshops for armament and electronics (AWRU) based on Jelcz trucks. The contract is valued at approximately 9 billion PLN, with deliveries expected to be completed by the end of 2029. The order also includes training and logistics packages.
The second contract covers procurement of support vehicles for fire modules equipped with K9A1 Thunder howitzers, valued at around 8 billion PLN. Once these vehicles are delivered, the fire modules with AHS Krab and K9 howitzers will have identical structures, with the only difference being the type of howitzer.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the State Treasury by Brigadier General Artur Kuptel, head of the Armaments Agency. Krzysztof Trofiniak, President of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), represented the contractor. The consortium also includes Huta Stalowa Wola and Rosomak S.A. The delegation, led by Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, also included Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Bejda. Marcin Kulasek, Secretary of State at the Ministry of State Assets, represented the ministry, which owns PGZ.
These are the two largest contracts in Huta Stalowa Wola’s history. The previous record was held by a 4.6 billion PLN deal for four Regina fire modules signed in 2016, though the configuration of the fire module was different at that time.