Poland Signs Deal for 286 LOTR Kleszcz Reconnaissance Carriers

Poland officially signed a deal on Wednesday to procure 286 locally-made LOTR Kleszcz light armored reconnaissance carriers, replacing outdated Soviet-era BRDM-2 4x4 vehicles.

The agreement was signed by Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Minister Paweł Bejda, and manufacturer AMZ-KUTNO SA.

The carriers, intended for the Polish Army, will be acquired and delivered between 2025 and 2035. The LOTR Kleszcz, mounted on a 4x4 wheeled platform, will enhance the reconnaissance units' capabilities by ensuring crew protection and collecting information about the enemy and the battlefield. The vehicle systems can process and transmit encrypted reconnaissance data in all weather conditions.

The LOTR Kleszcz's development is a result of collaboration between the National Center for Research and Development (NCBR) and a consortium of Polish entities, including AMZ-KUTNO SA. It is part of the "Light Armored Reconnaissance Carrier" project from 2013 to 2022. The project, with a total cost of PLN 36.45 million, received financing of PLN 33.42 million (€7.76 million) from the NCBR.

The Kleszcz program is a pivotal component of the "Operational Patrol Reconnaissance" program, addressing the operational needs of the Polish Army's reconnaissance units. This program includes the development of the "Sowa" IT system for collecting, analyzing, and distributing information from various elements.

The Kleszcz vehicle will become part of the equipment of reconnaissance units of the Land Forces, conducting operations in all weather conditions and at any time for up to five days. The vehicle's crew is a reconnaissance team of 5 soldiers, enabling the transport of personnel and equipment, along with fire support using on-board weapons.

Kleszcz/Bóbr-3 is a floating, armored wheeled transport in a 4x4 configuration, with independent suspension on both axles. It is powered by a 240-kW engine, providing ballistic protection at level 2 and mine resistance at level 2a. Optional additional armor increases protection to level 3 (ballistic) and 3a (mine). The Kleszcz is equipped with a remotely controlled shooting station armed with 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns (Kongsberg's solution was chosen) and smoke grenade launchers.