Bumech, a Polish industrial firm, has entered the defense industry by partnering with OTT Technologies of South Africa to produce OTT’s armored vehicles in Poland. Under the agreement, Bumech will handle production, promotion, and distribution of the vehicles across Europe, signaling a major diversification of its business portfolio.
The collaboration will initially focus on the PUMA, LM, and Bulldog armored vehicle families. In addition, both firms have outlined plans to equip these platforms with anti-drone protection systems, reflecting the evolving needs of today’s battlefields. Vehicle production will start with kits supplied by OTT and will gradually transition toward EU-made parts and subsystems.
The long-term objective is full licensed production in Poland, with a minimum of 70 percent of all components sourced from European suppliers. The project will also involve modifications to drivetrains, engines, and other systems to align with EU regulatory and environmental requirements. Bumech will provide full financial support, covering production setup and sales operations.
The cooperation agreement runs through the end of 2027, with the option of extending if agreed benchmarks are achieved. Market prospects for the venture are significant: the Polish Armed Forces are estimated to need as many as 3,000 armored vehicles, while additional requirements from police and border security agencies could further increase demand across the region.
