Poland is advancing development of a new heavy infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) known as Ratel, highlighting a growing emphasis on battlefield survivability and protection. Designed to operate in high-threat environments, the vehicle is engineered to withstand direct hits from medium-caliber weapons, including 30mm Bushmaster automatic cannons, at engagement ranges of 500 meters.
In its baseline configuration, the Ratel IFV weighs approximately 42 tons, but incorporates a built-in growth margin allowing the platform to scale up to 48 tons. This additional capacity enables integration of enhanced armor packages, active protection systems (APS), and mission-specific equipment, offering flexibility for evolving operational requirements.
Ratel builds directly on the design heritage of Poland’s Borsuk IFV, which has recently entered service with the Polish Army. Both vehicles share a common chassis, propulsion system, and combat architecture, reducing logistical complexity and maintenance costs. The platform is powered by an MTU 8V199 engine delivering 1,070 horsepower and uses a pneumatic-hydraulic suspension system with seven road wheels per side.
For firepower, Ratel will be equipped with the ZSSW-30 remote-controlled turret, ensuring weapons commonality across Poland’s armored fleet. The vehicle is part of a broader modernization effort that envisions approximately 1,400 new armored platforms, with more than 1,000 IFVs, and prototype testing scheduled to begin by late 2026.
