Polish armed forces under the EDA programme received 79 M-ATV armoured vehicles free of charge. Before the wagons are handed over to soldiers, they must be adapted to the requirements of the Polish army and national road regulations. They will besides be painted, including lighting. Military logistics has already started.
The Polish army received 79 M-ATV mini-resistant vehicles. The wagons went to Poland under the EDA (Excess Defence Articles) program, which aims to support U.S. military allies. Washington transfers free of charge or after reduced baskets equipment from the surplus United States Army. The armored vehicles will most likely go to the ground troops. Polish soldiers already know M-ATV well. In 2015, specialists received them from Americanswho utilized them on missions in Afghanistan, among others.
According to the spokesperson for the Armed Forces Agency, Colonel Grzegorz Polak, contract for the transportation of Oshkosh vehicles was concluded between the governments of Poland and the United States in the mediate of last year, but wagons were delivered recently. According to the contract, Poland received it free of charge, only had to cover the cost of transport of vehicles. Even in the United States, M-ATV has been technically proven. It was assessed that they did not require any investments and renovations.
However, this does not mean that they can immediately scope users. The wagons must be decently equipped and adapted to the Polish regulations of road law. Military logistics from Bydgoszcz and Opole will take care of this. "1st Logistics Brigade and 10th Logistics Brigade will adapt Oshkosh M-ATV armoured vehicles to the requirements of the Polish Armed Forces and the traffic regulations in force in Poland and within the European Union", he reported in the Social Media Inspectorate of Armed Forces Support. For the preparation of 59 wagons is 1 BLog, and specifically – 52 Repair Battalion. The next 20 vehicles will be taken care of by the 10 BLog 55 Repair Battalion.
– This week we started our first work – says Captain Justyna Kwiatkowska, press officer of the 1st Pomeranian Logistics Brigade. – First each of the vehicles delivered to us undergo an accurate assessment of the method condition. Then we disassemble any moving elements and prepare the car for painting. Vehicles will be painted in khaki colour – adds the spokeswoman. Colonel Witold Bartoszek, commander of the 1st Pomeranian Logistics Brigade, recalls that his soldiers have quite a few experience in this kind of work. 2 years ago in the 52nd Repair Battalion a akin process was passed by vehicles MRAP Cougar 4x4. – As with the Cougars, so now with the M-ATV cars we will not interfere with the plan and method parameters – the commander notes. “We will install in them, for example, direction indicators according to Polish standards and passing beams”, added Colonel Bartoszzek. In addition, logistics besides lists all filters and operating fluids. The cars will then undergo diagnostic tests and will be recorded.
M-ATV cars are produced in respective versions, but their common feature is increased opposition to mine explosions and the ability to perfectly cope even in the most hard terrain. Crew safety is guaranteed, among others, by a specially constructed compartment and hull, the armoured chassis of which is arranged in the form of a ‘V’. In the vehicle there are explosion-proof seats for the crew, each soldier besides has five-point safety belts. M-ATVs are equipped with a fire protection system, including the interior of the cabin, engine compartment, wheels and fuel tank.
Trucks work during patrols, reconnaissance activities, or even pursuits. M-ATV without equipment and crew weighs more than 12 t, but its weight can be increased by another 4 t. It is over 6 m long, about 2.5 m wide, and its tallness is over 3 m. After a paved surface, it can decision at a velocity exceeding 110 km/h.
The crew of the car consists of 5 persons: driver, commander and 3 operators. Behind the cab is simply a baggage section where military equipment can be carried or an additional space for 2 more operators. M-ATV armaments are: a 12.7 mm large caliber device weapon or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.
