Frag Out! Magazine

A new cArrIer HSW, responsible for the program, was permitted to conduct analyses and engage in preliminary talks with selected carrier providers. Negotiations with the potential provider of alternate carriers, Turkish MKEK (Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi Kurumu), concerning the matter of acquisition of rights to produce the chassis of the T-155 Firtina howitzer were suspended because Korean Samsung Techwin (currently Hanwha Techwin), manufacturer of the K9 Thunder, the precursor to the Turkish T-155, made a better offer. In 2014, HSW S.A. signed an agreement for supplies and licensed production of Krab chassis units for 120 Polish gun-howitzers in total. The agreement for supplies and transfer of technology makes it possible to launch production of tracked chassis units designed originally for the K9 Thunder in Poland. Once they undergo certain technical modifications, they will become the target carriers of the Polish turrets. According to the agreement, Hanwha Techwin will provide Poland with a total of 36 chassis units made in South Korea, including 24 ready units and 12 to be assembled, in 2015–2018 timeframe. The remaining 84 vehicles are to be constructed in Poland in the period of 2018–2023. This means that the first battalion which was initially to be equipped with UPG-NG-based Krab howitzers will also have artillery systems on new carriers at their disposal. At the same time, HSW signed an amendment to the original agreement concluded with MOD's Armaments Inspectorate in 2008. The deadline for acceptance of the first ready Regina module featuring Krab howitzes based on new carriers was rescheduled for 2017. The first new chassis were made in 2015. The vehicles were modified structurally to make them compatible with new type of turret and because of the specific requirements of the Polish end-users. The modifications included e.g. installation of a fan-powered filtering system, modified electrical wiring system, power generator, fire protection and explosion suppression system, or internal communications system. The prototype chassis was subject to traction trials and ballistic resistance tests. The tests ended with positive results, which made it possible for MOD to accept the first ready chassis units, to transport them to the country, and to mount the ready turrets. The final version of the newly-assembled gun- howitzer was revealed to the public at MSPO 2015. vehicles

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