Russia captures Polish Oncilla: Implications for military tech
The Russians have taken control of a Polish Oncilla combat vehicle for the first time, as confirmed by a recording shared by Tomasz Kwasek from New Military Technology on X.
Oncilla vehicles, manufactured by the Mista company from Stalowa Wola, have been used in Ukraine for quite some time. The Ukrainian army has repeatedly assessed them as significant on the front line, highlighting features such as their notable speed. It is the Polish version of the Ukrainian Dozor-B transporter, also appreciated for its protective capabilities and equipment compliant with NATO standards. However, the Russians managed to capture one of these vehicles during an operation in the Kursk region.
The Russians captured the Oncilla vehicle
The Russians' capture of an Oncilla is unprecedented and could influence future military engagements. These vehicles have been praised by Ukrainians for their reliability and protection, making them a valuable acquisition for the opposition. The Oncilla captured by the Russians may be used by the aggressor's army to understand better the technology integrated into these machines.
To remind you, the Oncilla, produced by the Polish company Mista, is a vehicle nearly 5.5 metres long and 2.4 metres wide. It is powered by an engine with about 200 horsepower, allowing it to reach speeds of 120 kilometres per hour. The vehicle is capable of travelling 700 kilometres on a full tank of fuel.
The offensive capabilities of the Polish vehicle are provided by a weapon station equipped with an NSW machine gun of 12.7 mm calibre. Crew protection is ensured by armour that meets the second level of the STANAG 4569 standard. Additionally, the Oncilla is equipped with a thermal imaging camera, effectively detecting enemy positions.
