Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/929822
Frag Out! Magazine: What is DrOMaDer? Maciej Stopniak, Adam Szpigiel: DROMADER, Polish for dromedary, is a working name of a project managed by PGZ's Strategy Office and run by PSO MASKPOL S.A. The project involves working on an integrated weapons and equipment carrier system to provide light infantry with a modern system of uniforms and equipment. First, the sys- tem is redesigned to address the needs of TDF (Territorial Defense Forces), but our ambition is to offer it to all armed forces. DROMADER is oriented at three directions, which can be described in common terms as: TDF/MECHANIZED INFANTRY/SOF. We're starting from TDF because they need new equipment and because it will be relatively easy to implement the system in their structure when it comes to procedures. FO!: Where DiD the naMe cOMe FrOM? MS, ASz: The working name was suggested by PGZ – there's nothing especially philosophical about it. The asso- ciation with a camel carrying goods was quite spontaneous, actually. Another suggestion was Testudo (Spanish for tur- tle), but it was rejected as it was said to imply slowness and heaviness, and DROMADER is supposed to be light and mo- bile. By the way – it's probably first system in Polish armed forces (if we can call what we have at our disposal right now systems) that will have a name, and not just a letter-digit code (though we're not sure about UKO-M, also referred to as Kandahar). FO!: Why anD FOr WhOM Was DrOMaDer createD? MS, Asz: A direct impetus to create DROMADER was the need to modernize Polish soldiers individual equipment and to adapt to the needs of modern times (but we're talking, in fact, about creating something from scratch, something isn't and hasn't been available yet). Let's not forget that even this year there was a tender for Napoleonic-like tar- paulin (linen!) AK magazine pouches (timber stakes com- bined with leather straps) and another one for wz. 67 web- bing. Both were halted at the last moment. A situation were the army orders equipment designed 55 years ago is bi- zarre. And first of all, we're talking about totally outdated equipment, a direct descendant of webbing used by Wehr- macht 75 years ago. Second of all, it's not an order for hun- www.fragoutmag.com