Poland prepares for threat of Russian ground war with $278M minelayer purchase

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Poland is spending 1 billion zloty ($278 million) to acquire Baobab-G automated minelaying vehicles on tracks to modernize its military and defend its territory. The machines are expected to start arriving in 2029.

Warsaw has already ordered 24 wheeled Baobab-K minelayers to be delivered in 2026-2028. The G versions, which will use Poland’s Krab howitzer chassis, should allow movement in rougher terrain. Poland has reportedly taken notice of the importance that minefields played in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

These acquisitions dovetail with Warsaw’s vote to pull out of the Ottawa Convention banning the use of anti-personnel mines earlier this year. Poland is also fortifying its eastern borders against both drones and ground movement.

All these moves in tandem suggest that Warsaw sees the threat of a Russian ground invasion as a real possibility. Statements by Poland’s top defense officials seem to confirm it.

During the landmine convention withdrawal debate in the summer, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said that Poland cannot afford to “put itself in a straitjacket” that would prevent defense of the homeland.

Cezary Tomczyk, the Polish deputy defense minister, told the Guardian that Russia can easily pivot to brand a new country its enemy — that the Polish government needs to show that it’s strong, so that Moscow doesn’t dare challenge it.

“The truth is that as long as Ukraine is defending itself and fighting Russia, Europe is not at risk of war in the conventional, strict sense of the word. What we will face instead are provocations and acts of sabotage,” Tomczyk told the Guardian on 27 December.

But, he added that if the West allows Russia to win in Ukraine, it might not be long before the Kremlin sets its sights on Europe.

Projected image of a Baobab-G tracked automated minelaying system, ordered by Poland. Photo: Polish Armament Agency

What is the Baobab?

The Baobab is a scattered minelayer, which can carry up to 600 anti-tank mines. The vehicles mount six launchers of 20 tubes apiece, each of which can fit up to five mines.

It is controlled by a crew of two people. Operators can adjust the desired scatter pattern, then let the automated system do the rest.

It takes under 30 minutes for a Baobab-K to create a minefield up to 180 meters wide and up to 1,800 meters long. The vehicle can trundle along from 5 to 24 kph while laying down fire.

The truck-like Baobab-K is based on Poland’s Jelcz 662D.43 chassis, developed by companies belonging to the Polish Armaments Group. The lead developer is Huta Stalowa Wola SA.

This system is suitable for mechanized units, but Polish officials told media that heavy armored brigades and difficult terrain require a tracked platform with greater mobility.

The Baobab-G will instead utilize the chassis from the AHS Krab, a 155 millimeter self-propelled gun. Hula Stalowa Wola adapted this chassis from South Korea’s K9 Thunder self-propelled gun.

The $278 million contract will pay for development, manufacturing, spare parts, and training, including simulators. The announcement did not reveal the number of vehicles to be delivered.

Ukrainian consultancy Defense Express noted that in addition to anti-tank mines, Poland’s exit from the Ottawa convention will free it to load antipersonnel mines into the Baobabs as well.

Poland hardening border drone defenses

Poland also plans to complete a series of anti-drone fortifications along its eastern borders within two years, integrating them into older defenses built a decade ago.

The fortifications will include layers of machine guns, cannons, missiles, and electronic warfare systems.

On 10 September, Russian long-range drones violated Polish and Romanian airspace — some were shot down, with debris landing in residential properties.

A growing number of unidentified drones have also been spotted across Europe, Poland included. Experts believe that Russia is likely to be involved.