WARSAW - Poland's Ministry of Defense has launched a tender for the procurement of 118 long-range reconnaissance vehicles under the so-called 'Viper' program. The new vehicles will serve as a replacement for the Polish Land Forces' GAZ BRDM-2 4x4 amphibious scout vehicles, which have been in service since the late 1960s. Many of the 450-odd BRDM-2s are no longer operational making the Viper program a Defense Ministry priority.
The MoD tender calls for four-wheel drive vehicles with a weight of up to 2.6 tons that are fitted with 90 kilowatt-minimum engines. The vehicles should be able to carry a crew of three and up to 900 kilograms (1,984 pounds) of weapons and military equipment.
Once a contract is inked deliveries of the new vehicles should begin in 2016 and run through 2022.