BWP-1 (Dragar)

PiekarzV2 · June 5, 2026, 12:39am

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BWP-1 with Dragar turret

History

In 1999, the Ministry of National Defense announced a tender for the modernization of aging BWP-1s, of which Poland had so many (approx. 1,300) that it was practically dependent on them. One of the companies that undertook this task was Wojskowe Zakłady Mechaniczne from Siemianowice Śląskie (WZMS).

Unlike the Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne nr 5 (WZM) from Poznań which had 24 modifications, including the replacement of existing VHF and HF radios, installation of a modern intercom system such as FONET, integration of the TAFIOS NBC contamination detector and the Pandora anti-flash protection system, as well as a land navigation system. WZMS didn’t made any changes to the chassis and presented a BWP-1 armed with a French Dragar turret at MSPO 2000.

The Dragar turret was used mainly by Turkey in their ACV-15s and had been tested on several other platforms, like AMX-10P, Vextra, Piranha, and the NGV-1. Compared to the original turret armed with the low-velocity 73 mm 2A28 Grom gun, the Dragar offered a significant increase in firepower, accuracy, and effectiveness against modern armored targets.

The turret is armed with a French 25 mm M811 cannon which can fire up to 400 rds/m with 220 rounds ready to use, an external 7,62 mm AA NF1 and 2x3 GALIX smoke grenades along with a modern fire control system featuring a digital ballistic computer and day/night sight, improved target acquisition and engagement capabilities compared to the original BWP-1 turret.

Integrating the Dragar turret onto the BWP-1 hull proved challenging. Because the French turret’s turret ring diameter differed from that of the original vehicle, engineers were forced to install an intermediate adapter ring. While technically successful, this solution substantially increased the overall height of the vehicle which was not well-received.

Due to a budget constraints and upcoming tender for new armored personnel carrier being a higher priority, the Ministry of National Defense suspended the project.

Characteristics

Armament

Turret: Dragar
- Horizontal guidance speed: 60 deg/s
25 mm M811
- Elevation: -8°/+45°
- Two-plane stabilizer
- Fire rate: 400 rds/m
- Ammo capacity: 220 rds ready racked
Ammo: Standard 25 mm
7,62 mm AA NF1
- Ammo capacity: 200 rounds
2x3 GALIX smoke grenades

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: 1500 - 2000 kg

Optics, electronics

Gunner optic:
- Day/night sight

Dimensions

Zrzut ekranu 2026-05-01 190838

Overall length: 6735 mm
Overall width : 2940 mm
Height with turret: ? mm

Summarized characteristics

Crew (3)
- Driver, gunner, commander
25mm M811
- Ammo: Standard 25mm
- Elevation: -8°/+45°
- Two-plane stabilizer
- Fire rate: (400 rds/m)
Gunner sight
- Day/night sight
Turret combat weight: 1,5-2 t
Engine: UTD-20 221 kW / ≈300 PS @ 2600 rpm
- Max speed: 65 km/h
Length 6,73 m Width: 2,94 m Height: ? m