New Pontoon Systems Revolutionize Polish Engineering Troops

Poland's engineering corps has introduced a new era in water obstacle crossing with the operational debut of the PFM pontoon systems, codenamed Daglezja-P. These advanced systems were showcased during the recent Dzielny Dzik 26 exercises, which involved over 6,500 Polish soldiers and 300 from Lithuania, marking it as the largest such event in Poland this year.

The introduction of the PFM systems represents a substantial leap forward from the decades-old PP-64 pontoon systems, which were originally developed in the 1960s. While the older PP-64s were still utilized during the exercises to transport vehicles like Lithuanian JLTV armored cars and Polish POPRAD anti-aircraft systems, the new PFM units are set to revolutionize the capabilities of Polish engineering troops.

Poland has procured a total of nine PFM sets, a significant investment that will enable the creation of up to 900 meters of pontoon bridges or 18 ferries. These new systems boast a load capacity of MLC 70 for tracked vehicles and MLC 96 for wheeled vehicles, capable of transporting the heaviest equipment in the Polish Armed Forces, including K2 tanks and Homar-K missile launchers. The initial deployment followed a month-long training course organized by the French supplier.

Soldiers from the 4th Sapper Regiment in Dęblin, who were among the first to receive and operate the new equipment, noted that while the PFM systems offer greatly expanded capabilities for overcoming water obstacles, they also demand a higher level of proficiency and training to operate effectively.