Poland Seeking New APCs

WARSAW: According to a report in the Polish press, the Ministry of Defense is seeking to make a rapid purchase of 40 personnel carriers that are more heavily-armored than the U.S.-produced Humvees currently being used by Polish forces in Afghanistan.

The Polish MoD is concerning itself with two models of mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles: the RG-31 Mk 5E made in South Africa, and the ATF Dingo 2 produced by Germany's Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW). A decision is expected soon, after which deliveries are to be concluded before the end of the year. Following this initial purchase another one for 140 vehicles will be made at a later date using the appropriate tender procedures.

With the death of three Polish soldiers on August 20 following an attack on its Humvee with an explosively-formed penetrator (EFP), the MoD quickly recognized that the current fleet of military vehicles used by its forces in Afghanistan is insufficient for the campaign in which they are engaged.