Poland unveils Baobab-K mine-laying system prototype

Polish defense firm Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) has unveiled its final prototype of the Baobab-K mine-laying system, which can carry up to 600 MN-123.1 and MN-123.2 programmable anti-tank mines.

The Baobab-K is an automated system that lays mines of various sizes, densities, and detonation times. The platform is mounted on a Jelcz 662D.43 8×8 high-mobility truck chassis with an armored cabin and six launchers.

The company uploaded a video last week demonstrating a crane loading system for the mine launchers and personnel manually loading individual mine cassettes.

The two-minute clip shows the Baobab-K vehicle navigating dry, grassy terrain while laying mines on a factory training ground.

Development of the system is part of a 19.95 million Polish zloty ($5 million) project awarded by the Polish Armaments Inspectorate (now Armaments Agency) in 2018.

The platform is now undergoing qualification trials to certify the final prototype.