Poland has officially signed a €58.9 million (PLN 250 million) contract to acquire 12 KTO Rosomak armored vehicles in the medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) configuration, known locally as the WEM (Wóz Ewakuacji Medycznej). The agreement underscores the nation’s commitment to reshaping its military doctrine to meet the challenges posed by high-intensity, hybrid warfare—lessons drawn directly from the brutal, ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine.
The first batch of four Rosomak WEM vehicles is expected to be delivered within the next year, with an option to procure eight more. These vehicles will provide enhanced protection and mobility for frontline medical teams and are set to play a pivotal role in missions along Poland’s eastern frontier, particularly the volatile Polish-Belarusian border where strategic tensions remain high.
This acquisition forms part of Poland’s wider military modernization initiative and reflects an evolving understanding of modern battlefield requirements—one where mobility, survivability, and rapid casualty extraction are just as crucial as firepower.
The KTO Rosomak is a domestically manufactured 8×8 armored vehicle produced under license from the Finnish defense firm Patria. Since entering service with the Polish Armed Forces in 2005, the Rosomak has served as the backbone of Poland’s mechanized infantry, earning a solid reputation for performance in varied operational environments, including deployments in Afghanistan.
The vehicle is powered by a high-performance 6-cylinder Scania diesel engine that produces over 480 horsepower, enabling speeds of up to 100 km/h on roads and a maximum range of 800 kilometers. The amphibious capability further enhances its strategic mobility, allowing it to traverse rivers and marshlands—critical features in Eastern Europe’s diverse terrain.
The WEM variant adapts the Rosomak’s core capabilities to fulfill a life-saving mission: evacuating wounded soldiers directly from combat zones under armored protection.
The WEM configuration of the Rosomak transforms it into a mobile field hospital that can operate in the most hostile and inaccessible environments. It features:
- Capacity for three stretcher-bound and four seated casualties, ensuring it can handle high casualty volumes during combat surges.
- A four-person crew, including a driver-mechanic, commander, and two trained combat medics.
- Independent air conditioning and heating systems, enabling climate-controlled care regardless of external weather or battlefield conditions.
- Integrated GPS navigation and communication systems for swift coordination with frontline units and field hospitals.
Specialized medical compartments, including an automatic stretcher handling system, storage for medications, defibrillators, trauma kits, and oxygen tanks.
What distinguishes the Rosomak WEM from civilian or lightly-armored medical vehicles is its ability to move through contested territory while keeping patients and medical crews safe from small arms fire, shrapnel, and even some anti-tank threats.
At the core of this procurement decision is a shift in how military planners view casualty evacuation in a new era of warfare. In a public address marking the announcement, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the urgency of adapting medical support capabilities to the realities of large-scale conflict.
“First four in the medical evacuation version, then an option to acquire more. It is very important for us to comprehensively secure the armed forces. Ukraine showed how the battlefield has changed, but also how the procedures for providing medical assistance have changed,” he said.
Kosiniak-Kamysz contrasted today’s battlefield with those in Afghanistan or Iraq, where helicopters often served as the primary medical evacuation platform. The rise of drone swarms, GPS-guided artillery, and mobile air defense systems has made air evacuation increasingly hazardous in contested airspace.
“In Ukraine, evacuation by air is often impossible. In many cases, it’s a fellow soldier in the trench whose quick response makes the difference. Vehicles such as the KTO Rosomak in the medical version will be great for evacuation. We are comprehensively prepared,” he added.
Polish military officials have cited increased tensions along the Polish-Belarusian border as a key factor in bolstering mobile medical capabilities. Recent provocations, including military drills by Belarus and the presence of Wagner Group mercenaries near the border last year, have raised concerns over possible cross-border incursions or hybrid warfare tactics.
The Rosomak WEM, with its high speed and survivability, is ideal for such scenarios where forward-deployed units may suffer casualties in border skirmishes, sabotage operations, or drone attacks.
According to the Polish Ministry of National Defence, these vehicles will be strategically stationed with rapid response brigades and border defense units to ensure prompt casualty evacuation even in dispersed or hard-to-reach locations.
This new MEDEVAC acquisition is just one part of Poland’s sweeping defense modernization campaign. In December 2024, the government signed a significant contract for 80 Rosomak-L variants—extended-hull versions equipped with the ZSSW-30 remote-controlled weapon station, a system that includes the American-made 30mm Bushmaster II automatic cannon and Israeli Spike LR anti-tank guided missiles.
The Rosomak-L, slated for delivery between 2027 and 2028, will substantially enhance firepower, protection, and digital battlefield integration for frontline units. These vehicles are expected to replace older tracked APCs and further strengthen Poland’s NATO interoperability.
The Rosomak program has been hailed not only as a military success but also as a symbol of Poland’s growing defense industrial capabilities. Manufactured by Rosomak S.A. in Siemianowice Śląskie, the vehicle program sustains thousands of skilled jobs and spurs investment in domestic defense technologies.
Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz praised the company’s work during the contract announcement: “Another contract with Rosomak – I am very happy because I know how you make the new equipment, how it is appreciated by our soldiers and abroad.”
The Rosomak platform has indeed garnered international attention. Variants have been exported or trialed in countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Slovakia, and Polish defense officials have expressed interest in developing future iterations with greater autonomy and AI-assisted medical diagnostics.
The Rosomak’s modular design continues to be its defining strength. Beyond infantry transport and MEDEVAC, the vehicle family includes:
- Command and control (C2) variants, equipped with advanced digital systems for tactical coordination.
- Reconnaissance configurations, often integrated with drone launchers and long-range sensors.
- Self-propelled mortar carriers, housing 120mm mortars for rapid fire support.
- NBC reconnaissance units, fitted to detect chemical, biological, and radiological threats.
This modularity is crucial to Poland’s plan to build a fully networked, mobile, and self-sufficient force capable of independent operations without relying heavily on U.S. or Western European forces for critical capabilities.
In this regard, the WEM is not an isolated asset but a key node in a broader mesh of integrated battlefield support. Its deployment complements new investments in mobile field hospitals, medical UAVs for supply drops, and data-link systems that allow medics in vehicles to communicate with surgeons miles away.
Sidebar: Quick Facts – Rosomak WEM
- Manufacturer: Rosomak S.A., Poland (under license from Patria, Finland)
- Engine: 6-cylinder Scania Diesel, 480+ HP
- Top Speed: 100 km/h (on road)
- Range: 800 km
- Amphibious: Yes
- Crew: 4 (commander, driver-mechanic, 2 medics)
- Casualty Capacity: 3 stretcher + 4 seated patients
- Medical Features: Automatic stretcher system, climate control, trauma gear, oxygen, GPS nav
- First Delivery: 2026
- Contract Value: €58.9 million for 12 units
