Polish Rosomak spearheads Ukraine's defense with advanced tech
Social media platforms have recently circulated new footage featuring the KTO Rosomak in a significant role. The video demonstrates how Ukrainians are utilizing this Polish armoured vehicle in their confrontations with Russian forces. Experts quickly explained what type of ammunition the crew used in this instance.
Jarosław Wolski, a Polish defence analyst, stated on his profile in the X platform that there is no doubt the ammunition used was 30x173mm MP-T/SD, produced by MESKO S.A.
KTO Rosomak fires at Russians. Frontline footage
As explained on the manufacturer's website, the 30x173mm MP-T/SD ammunition is designed to "effectively engage lightly armoured targets at distances up to 3,000 metres." It features a self-destruct mechanism and can be used in, among others, the ATK MK 44 Bushmaster II cannon. This cannon serves as the main gun in the combat variants of the KTO Rosomak delivered to Ukraine, accompanied by the UKM-2000C machine gun and smoke grenade launchers.
The ATK MK 44 Bushmaster II is part of the Hitfist-30P turret. However, as Łukasz Michalik, a journalist with Wirtualna Polska, wrote, the newer Polish Rosomaks are now equipped with much more advanced ZSSW-30 turrets. These turrets are developed and manufactured in Poland, whereas the Hitfist-30P turrets were produced under an Italian licence (by the company OTO Melara).
Rosomaks from Poland prove effective in Ukraine
The KTO Rosomak is a vehicle that has performed well in Ukraine and has been frequently praised by Ukrainian soldiers. In one interview, members of the 44th Independent Mechanized Brigade commended these Polish transporters for their speed, ease of driving, and versatile weaponry.
The KTO Rosomak is powered by a Scania D1 12 56A03PE engine with nearly 500 horsepower. Its design includes an 8x8 wheel configuration and a German automatic transmission, the ZF 7HP 902S Ecomat.
This combination allows the vehicle, which measures nearly 26 feet in length, to reach a top speed of 62 mph. The KTO Rosomak can also overcome vertical obstacles up to 1.6 feet high and travel in water at speeds up to 6 mph.
