Polish Army will Modernize Bergepanzer 2

Next to upgrading tanks Leopard 2A4 to version PL (PL like Polish), Polish Armament Inspectorate commenced a process leading to similar work on the armoured recovery vehicles Bergepanzer 2 (BPZ 2).

With the purchase of a second batch of 119 of Leopard 2 tanks, 18 ARV's Bergepanzer 2 were also purchused. The transaction, will increase the number of vehicles of this type in the Polish armed forces to 28. They will be all modernized in the years 2015-2022.

This step has been forced because of the lack of opportunities for the cooperation BPz 2 with the heavier tanks Leopard 2A5, as well as with the Leopard 2PL in the future(upgrades Leopard 2A4 upgrade). Assumptions relating to the requirements for the modernized ARV (project name BPZ 2PL) are ambitious.

The main objective of the program is to provide the modernized ARVs opportunities to evacuate heavy armoured vehicles weighing up to 65 tons.

The scope of work cocncerning BPz 2 includes the modernization of the power unit of the vehicle, the modernization of the main winch, equipment ARV with a crane with a lifting capacity of at least 30 tons (similar to BPz 3), adapting the vehicle to transport engines (power pack) Leopard 2A4 and A5 tanks, installation of the system to evacuate the vehicle without the necessity for the crew to leave the ARV (anchoring to – unplugging), up-armoured the vehicle and installation of anti blast system and modernization of the anti-fire system.

BPz 2PL will be a vehicle with some improved characteristics (similar to the Danish variant known as Wisent with a crane to 30 – tone lifting capability) and a new branch in the history of this German armoured recovery vehicle.

Source : Dziennik Zbrojny