New engines for Krab? HSW signs agreement with German conglomerate RENK
The Stalowa Wola Ironworks has signed a letter of intent for cooperation with the RENK Group, along with its subsidiary, RENK America. Their main focus of cooperation will be on engines for tracked vehicles. This could potentially lead to the development of new engines, including those for the Polish self-propelled howitzers, Krab.
The RENK Group will be supplying transmissions, suspension systems, and complete power units to the Polish military equipment manufacturer, Stalowa Wola Ironworks.
According to the provisions in the letter of intent signed by both HSW and the RENK Group, HSW is preparing to start producing selected components. Future collaboration between the two companies will concentrate on power systems for tracked vehicles.
At present, the details provided by both corporations are somewhat vague and do not specify the vehicles to which the agreement applies. Nevertheless, the AHS Krab, currently produced by HSW, remains the company's flagship tracked vehicle.
Additionally, RENK components are already being utilized in the Leopard 2 and K2GF Black Panther tanks, as well as in the Rosomak wheeled armored personnel carriers.
The RENK Group is a German conglomerate that holds a global position in manufacturing transmissions, gearboxes, suspension systems, and tank engines.
RENK America, its American subsidiary, is responsible for various operations, including the transmission systems used in the M88 Hercules recovery vehicles, which were ordered by Poland in furtherance of their cooperation with the Abrams tanks.
Notably, in the context of the HSW and RENK collaboration, Poland had previously held a significant role in the production and development of tank engines. The country had produced engines for PT-91 Twardy tanks, among others. However, this capability was lost with the closure of the PZL-Wola factories in 2012.
