Polish manufacturer Szczęśniak Pojazdy Specjalne will deliver a total of 45 heavy recovery and technical rescue vehicles to Sweden’s armed forces. The vehicles are based on a Scania R520 8×8 chassis, while the specialist bodywork and systems integration are being carried out by the company in Bielsko-Biała.
The contract is being implemented for Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration, FMV. An initial framework agreement signed in early 2025 covered the first 10 vehicles. In March 2026, FMV ordered another 35 units, bringing the total programme to 45 vehicles.
The second batch alone is valued at approximately SEK 420 million. FMV previously estimated the overall framework agreement at around SEK 600 million. According to the Polish manufacturer, deliveries under the programme are expected to be completed by the end of 2029.
Polish engineering behind the specialist systems
Szczęśniak is responsible for designing the specialist vehicle body, integrating the individual systems and delivering the complete recovery vehicle. Another Polish company, Ponar Wadowice, developed the hydraulic system used to power towing, lifting and stabilisation equipment.
The platform itself combines components from several suppliers. It uses a four-axle Scania R520 8×8 chassis with a 520 hp engine, while Swedish company Sepson supplies the winch system. FMV says the vehicle has five winch units, including a 20-tonne Sepson Septrac main winch, as well as a main lifting boom with a capacity of 20 tonnes.
Each vehicle weighs close to 34 tonnes and can be equipped with more than 300 additional items. The platform is designed to recover, lift and tow wheeled vehicles operated by Sweden’s armed forces.
Recovering heavy equipment from the battlefield
The new vehicles are intended primarily to recover damaged or immobilised military equipment. A disabled vehicle can be lifted by its wheels, axle or dedicated recovery points and towed with part of the vehicle raised from the ground.
According to manufacturer data, the lifting and towing system can handle loads of around 16 tonnes at short boom extension and up to 20 tonnes in specific configurations. At maximum extension, the permitted load is approximately nine tonnes.
On paved roads, the recovery vehicle can operate with combinations weighing as much as 70 tonnes. This type of capability is particularly important during military operations, where rapidly removing damaged vehicles can prevent valuable equipment from being abandoned and can keep transport routes open.
Sweden turns to a Polish specialist manufacturer
For Szczęśniak, the Swedish programme represents a significant export contract in the military special-vehicle segment. It also highlights the company’s role not only as a bodywork producer but as an integrator of complete heavy wheeled military platforms.
The project combines Polish and Swedish industrial capabilities: Szczęśniak handles the specialist vehicle and integration, Ponar provides the hydraulics, Scania supplies the chassis and Sepson delivers the winch systems.
The contract is another example of Polish defence and specialist-vehicle companies becoming more deeply integrated into procurement programmes elsewhere in Europe, as NATO countries increase investment in logistics, mobility and battlefield recovery capabilities.
