Armour Focus ~ KTO Rosomak 8x8

The KTO Rosomak (Wolverine) is the primary Infantry Fighting Vehicle used by Poland's leading Mechanised Infantry Brigades - it has seen operational service in both Afghanistan and Chad – this example was photographed in Latvia in 2017 [© Bob Morrison]

Following on from my Polish Armour On Bucierz Range feature, as promised I have delved into our archives for more KTO Rosomak images, writes Bob Morrison.

Five years ago I penned a magazine article on the wheeled armoured personnel carrier used primarily by the mechanised infantry battalions of the Polish Armed Forces illustrated by photographs taken in the field in western and north-western Poland during exercises in 2014 and 2015, then in 2017 I had the chance to photograph more Polish vehicles acting as Yellow Forces during a multinational exercise in Latvia. Shortly after my article went to print my colleague Carl was able to photograph different Rosomak variants on Bemowo Piskie Training Area in north-eastern Poland and last summer he photographed another variant at the 2019 Armed Forces Day parade in Katowice.

This typical European theatre KTO Rosomak 8×8 armoured personnel carrier was photographed at Świętoszów at the end of Exercise RYS (LYNX) 14 ~ the standard IFV version can transport an infantry section of eight plus their bergens, combat equipment and weapons [©BM]

To allow military vehicle enthusiasts and military modellers to see all sides of each vehicle, wherever possible we have provided at least two (usually diagonally opposite) views of our subjects. Of course this has not always been possible, particularly when vehicles were displayed close together or were on parade. Carl and I always do our best to walk round interesting vehicles and take pictures whenever feasible, so hopefully the accompanying shots together with those used in my previous article will give interested readers a reasonable overview of the KTO Rosomak.

This Rosomak was seen at Ustka during BALTOPS ’15 ~ the 8×8 vehicle weighs 22 tonnes, has a top road speed in excess of 100km/hr and can cross water obstacles such as lakes or rivers at 10km/hr powered by twin propellers at the rear [©BM]

A brace of Rosomaks acting as Yellow Forces photographed on SILVER ARROW 17 in Latvia ~ 8×8 drive and independent suspension give excellent cross country mobility and the vehicle is equal to the Boxer, Piranha or VBCI [©BM]

Brief History: A replacement for the Cold War era tracked BMP-1, known as the BWP-1 in Polish service, the infantry fighting vehicle version of the Rosomak is primarily, but not exclusively, used by the 12th,15th, and 17th Mechanised Infantry Brigades plus the 21st Podhale Rifle Brigade, which is a Mountain Infantry formation based near the western Carpathians. Several specialist variants are also used by units and formations supporting these brigades.

KTO Rosomak-S anti-armour team vehicle of 17 WBZ ~ crew consists of driver and commander and two anti-tank teams equipped with the Spike LR ATGM system are transported in the rear [© Carl Schulze]

KTO Rosomak-WEM medical evacuation vehicle from 17 WBZ on Bemowo Piskie Training Area in late 2015 – this is the PM2 version which weighs 26,000kg – note the raised rear compartment roof similar to the Command Vehicle variant [© Carl Schulze]

The Kołowy Transporter Opancerzony or (Wheeled Armoured Transporter) Rosomak (Wolverine or Glutton) is a licence-built version of the Finnish Patria AMV (Armoured Modular Vehicle) which was developed “to provide optimal modularity of components and to be adaptable for a wide range of versions without changing basic vehicle systems”. The Polish Army was the first external customer for the Patria AMV but a number of design differences were incorporated from the outset to meet Polish requirements.

The KTO Rosomak-Rak is a 120mm self-propelled automated mortar fitted with the M120 turreted mortar system designed by Huta Stalowa Wola – its automatic loader houses 20 ready rounds and an additional 26 rounds are stored inside the vehicle [© Carl Schulze]

Used by platoon and battery commanders, 32 of these artillery command post vehicles were ordered to accompany the KTO Rosomak-Rak 120mm mortar systems ~ these vehicles feature a 7.62mm machine gun ring mount with gunner protection kit [© Carl Schulze]

**Update**: This is the KTO Rosomak WRT (*Wóz Rozpoznania Technicznego*) repair & recovery version, displayed with its HIAB crane raised and machine gun fitted, spotted during SABER GUARDIAN 19 in Romania.
For more images of this variant see: **Polish Armour On Bucierz Range** [©BM]

The rarely seen Rosomak-WSRiD is a multi-sensor surveillance and reconnaissance vehicle with a retractable mast and sensor head which has four work stations in the rear compartment [© Carl Schulze]

Compared to the standard AMV, KTO Rosomak armour protection was slightly reduced to both assist with amphibious capability and reduce overall weight to ensure the vehicle was transportable by C-130 Hercules aircraft. However an appliqué armour package was also developed to increase protection level when necessary and for operational reasons linked to the ISAF deployment some vehicles, designated M1M variants, were up-armoured and subsequently lost their amphibious propulsion capability.

In Afghanistan the Polish Rosomak fleet was up-armoured and fitted with QinetiQ Q-Net RPG panels – top cover hatches are visible behind the turret, Ghazni, New Year’s Eve 2010 [US DoD: Sgt. Justin Howe]

A substantial fleet of Rosomaks, probably in excess of one hundred, was deployed by the Polish Army serving in Afghanistan as part of ISAF (International Security and Assistance Force) and at least 16 were also deployed to Chad to assist on MINURCAT, the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad. The majority of the Rosomak fleet deployed to Afghanistan was first upgraded with a steel-composite armour package and then protected against rocket propelled grenades with QinetiQ Q-Net panels. While serving with ISAF the Rosomak earned a seemingly well-deserved reputation for both reliability under severe conditions and survivability against both RPG and IED attack; reportedly the only Polish soldier to die as a result of an IED attack in Afghanistan was killed when the vehicle rolled over on him rather than from blast injuries.