BWP-1 (Delco LAV-25)

PiekarzV2 · October 26, 2026, 1:59am

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BWP-1 with Delco LAV-25

HISTORY

Following the political shifts of the early 1990s, the Polish Land Forces faced an urgent need to modernize their massive fleet of legacy Soviet-era BWP-1 infantry fighting vehicles. The original 73 mm 2A28 Grom low-pressure gun and optics were deemed obsolete for the modern battlefield. To address these shortcomings, Huta Stalowa Wola presented a modernized BWP-1 equipped with an American two-man Delco LAV 25 turret weighing 1,950 kg, during the 5th edition of MSPO in 1997.

Turret replacement from a modernized BWP onto the HSW Pandur in field conditions

This modernization dramatically enhanced the vehicle’s lethality and target acquisition capabilities. The original 73mm gun was replaced with the NATO-standard 25mm M242 Bushmaster autocannon, supported by a coaxial 7.62mm M240 machine gun. The integration brought full two-plane stabilization for firing on the move, alongside modern gunner optics featuring thermal imaging, daylight cameras, and a laser rangefinder. Despite the turret adding almost 2 tons, the BWP-1 hull retained its original 300 horsepower UTD-20 diesel engine, maintaining a top speed of 65 km/h and improved water obstacle-crossing capabilities through new track guards similar to those used on the BWP-2.

The project was never adopted for serial production.

CHARACTERISTICS

ARMAMENT

Turret: Delco LAV-25

Horizontal guidance speed: 45 deg/s

Vertical guidance speed: 36 deg/s

25mm M242 Bushmaster

Elevation: -7°/+59°

Two-plane stabilizer

Fire rate: 200 rds/m

Ammo capacity: 210 rds ready racked

2x4 76mm smoke grenades

Ammo:

APFSDS-T

APDS-T

HEI-T

SAPHEI-T

7,62 mm M240

Ammo capacity: 400 rds ready racked

Rate of fire: 700-900 rds/m

MOBILITY

Crew (3): Driver, Commander, Gunner

Engine: UTD-20

power: 221 kW / ≈300 PS @ 2300 rpm

Transmission:

Gears: 5 forward, 1 reverse

Max speed: 65 km/h

Turret combat weight: 1950 kg

Amphibious

OPTICS, ELECTRONICS

Gunner optic:

Thermal camera

Daylight camera

Laser rangefinder

Commander optic:

Daylight camera

DIMENSIONS

Overall length: 6735 mm
Overall width : 3150 mm
Height with turret: ? mm

Summarized characteristics

Crew (3)
- Driver, gunner, commander
25mm M242 Bushmaster
- Ammo: APFSDS-T, APDS-T, SAPHEI-T, HEI-T
- Elevation: -7°/+59°
- Two-plane stabilizer
- Fire rate: 200 rds/m
7,62 mm M240
Gunner sight
- Thermals
Laser Rangefinder
2x4 76mm smokes
Turret combat weight: 1,9 t
Engine: UTD-20 221 kW / ≈300 PS
- Max speed: 65 km/h
Length 6,73 m Width: 3,15 m Height: ? m