The Anders, a light tank developed by the Bumar group of Poland since 2008.
The WPB Anders tank acts as a technology demonstrator, intended to produce a light tank, an infantry fighting vehicle and a basic armored vehicle, the latter to further fulfill a variety of front-line and second-line roles. The commonality of parts within the Anders family will promote cost savings and logistical friendliness for the Polish defense budget.
The vehicle was designed to replace the Polish Army’s remaining inventory of obsolete BWP-1 fighting vehicles family, the first prototype being publicly shown in 2010, at the MSPO Kielce defense industry exhibition.
The Prototype was armed with a 120 mm smoothbore main gun mounted on an unmanned turret. This gun is completed with an autoloader. The light tank fires standard NATO 120 mm ammunition. Some sources claim, that only 22 rounds are carried by this light tank. 12 rounds are stored in the turret bustle and remaining 10 rounds in the hull. Auxiliary armament includes a 7.62mm machine gun and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. Further variants, such as command and control, medical evacuation, combat-engineering and self-propelled anti-aircraft gun are also planned.
Anders being the only technology demonstrator, looked to have great possibilities of Polish technical thought, because although it is made of 100% of the components designed and manufactured in Poland, it realizes the possibility of integration of national solutions with solutions abroad and by the possibility of further development.
The tank has an all-welded hull and turret. All occupants are seated in the hull, which gives additional protection for the crew. This Polish light tank has a modular armor. Basic armor of the Anders provides protection against 7.62 mm rounds. It can be rapidly fitted with add-on armor modules. Furthermore the Anders is fitted with an integrated active protection system, and is equipped with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems. It also has a laser warning receiver.
The crew of three, including commander, gunner and driver. It can carry four additional infantrymen, if required. These additional troops enter and leave the vehicle via the rear ramp.
