BAE and Polish firm wzm sign M88 support agreement

BAE Systems has signed a licensing agreement with Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne S.A. (WZM), a leading Polish defence firm, to provide in-country maintenance and support for M88A2 Armoured Recovery Vehicles operated by the Polish Land Forces.

Announced on 10 April, the agreement allows WZM—part of the PGZ Capital Group—to carry out maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of the M88A2 fleet using BAE Systems’ intellectual property and technical expertise.

The goal is to improve the fleet’s operational availability and ensure that the recovery vehicles remain mission-ready for battlefield support tasks.

According to BAE Systems, the arrangement is intended to bolster Poland’s defence industrial base by expanding local capabilities in armoured vehicle sustainment.

“This relationship enables the timely sustainment of critical recovery vehicles, supporting the Polish government’s efforts to strengthen its defense industrial base and promote local economies,” said Dean Medland, vice president of Sustainment & International Programs at BAE Systems.

The M88A2 Hercules is a heavy armoured recovery vehicle designed to tow and repair disabled tanks and other armoured platforms. With its enhanced horsepower and additional armour protection, it is capable of recovering vehicles weighing up to 70 tonnes, including the M1 Abrams tank, which Poland is also acquiring under a separate agreement.

The M88A2 forms a critical part of Poland’s evolving armoured capability, and the localisation of support through WZM is expected to reduce repair turnaround times and enhance readiness. The partnership reflects ongoing efforts by Poland to increase domestic defence production and sustainment capacity in cooperation with foreign suppliers.

BAE Systems noted that the agreement supports broader objectives to create a more responsive regional support network, while maintaining the core manufacturing base for M88A2 vehicles in the United States.