Ukrainian forces enhance capabilities with Polish Rosomak carriers
A brief video has emerged on social media showing Ukrainian soldiers operating the Rosomak wheeled armoured personnel carrier. This vehicle is among the coveted assets received from Poland to aid in the battlefront. Here's a look into what makes it valued.
The video did not provide details regarding its exact location in Ukraine. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian forces are deploying the Rosomak armoured carriers even in the most challenging combat zones. This is consistent with earlier footage where they were noticed alongside Swedish Stridsvagn 122 tanks and CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles, representing some of the strongest units in the Ukrainian arsenal.
Wolverine from Poland in Ukraine
Ukraine stands out as one of the unique operators of these Polish-made carriers. Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed an order of 200 KTO Rosomak units in April 2023, with the first instances of their operational use in the Ukrainian military surfacing a few months later. Despite this, their presence in frontline coverage has been less frequent lately.
Experts suggest this absence is strategic, with Ukrainians opting to withhold their most sophisticated Western-provided equipment from the battlefield temporarily. This approach is exemplified by instances like the Abrams tanks, which were saved for a more significant deployment in the spring of this year.
Other high-value assets include more recent versions of Leopard tanks and carriers such as the Stryker and Rosomak.
What are the capabilities of the Rosomak armored carriers?
The KTO Rosomak, produced by Rosomak SA (originally Military Plants in Siemianowice Śląskie), was first introduced in 2001, and mass production started two years later.
It's powered by a Scania D1 12 56A03PE engine, boasting nearly 500 horsepower. This is linked to an automatic transmission, allowing a maximum speed of around 100 km/h (about 62 mph). With a length of nearly 7.8 metres, the KTO Rosomak can travel up to 800 km (approximately 497 miles) on a single fuel tank.
The vehicle's equipment and armament vary by version. The combat model is equipped with the HITFIST turret system, designed by the Italian company OTO Melara. It includes a 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster automatic cannon alongside a 7.62 mm machine gun.
