Against the background of the appearance in Russia of a new means of remote mining "Agriculture", the Polish defense industry presented a similar system "Baobab-K", created by Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW). This development has remained in the shadows in recent years, and only now its final characteristics have become known..
It can safely be called one of the most cost-effective products in terms of results., capable of reducing the disproportion between the potential of the Polish armored forces and a potential enemy
– noted in the publication Defense24.
The first prototype of the new product Baobab-K, designed for remote mining, was introduced in September at MSPO 2021. In March, it completed factory testing, the start of qualification tests in the troops is expected, scheduled for completion in January 2022 of the year. After that, the preparation of a new product for mass production will follow..
Baobab-K comes from the early 1990s, when the Polish Ministry of Defense launched a program to create a TMN Kroton system, designed for the operational construction of anti-tank minefields. It was hosted on the SPG-2 platform., structurally connected with the MT-LB chassis, mass-produced HSW. allegedly, Kroton, operated by a crew of only two, could remotely for just 15-20 minutes to install a rectangular minefield measuring 60 on 600 m from 400 anti-tank cumulative mines MN-123, capable of penetrating the bottom of any modern combat vehicle ("flashes" 60 mm steel armor).
This is enough to stop or slow down the attack of armored formations.. The enemy will be forced to carry out lengthy reconnaissance and demining or bypass minefields. Without this, the performance of dynamic operations by armored forces becomes paralyzed.
– explained in the Polish edition.
Already in 1995 year, a prototype of "Croton" successfully passed qualification tests, however, the scheduled delivery 81 the machine never took place - only to 2007 less than 10 units. Since then, HSW has developed its project based on a wheeled chassis (based on Jelcz 662D.43 and Jelcz P662).
Baobab-K was eventually placed on the Jelcz chassis with an armored cab from the line 882,53 8×8, which allows speeds up to 85 kmh. The weight of the new product is 31 ton. Placed on the platform 600 min. He needs less 20 minutes for automated minefield placement. Equipment with a crew of two fighters is equipped with an on-board computer, visualization terminal with digital map, GPS system and odometer, VHF radio and FONET communication system. Used for self defense 8 81-mm smoke grenade launchers. In its final form, the transfer of the system from traveling to combat does not require manual control due to the presence of an electric drive.
The Ministry of Defense seeks to get this class of equipment as soon as possible [according to unofficial data - 30-50 machines]
– specified in Defense24.
TTH Baobab-K:
used photos:HSW website
