The wz.988/MON webbing for carrying tactical equipment is popularly called "Lubawka", "pencil case", or "Stachowiak's revenge" in Poland. It has been in service with the Polish Army for over 30 years, with virtually no major changes. The only modification to this irreplaceable and excellent piece of equipment included replacing the black finishing elements and tapes with green ones. It is said that there is no substitute for perfection. Therefore, no one should be surprised that in December 2023, the 3rd Regional Logistics Base announced a tender for over 10,000 sets of "Wz.988/MON webbing for carrying tactical equipment”. However, on December 18, the proceedings were discontinued, citing the need to change the terms of the order regarding the specific delivery deadline. At this point, everyone who had dealings with "Lubawka" could breathe a sigh of relief, but only for a moment. On December 22, the matter returned, changing the terms of the order to:

"The subject of the order is the delivery of uniforms and equipment in 2024 - webbing for carrying equipment. The scope of the order includes 4 tasks:

• Task No. 1 – Webbing for carrying equipment, 2,830 units
• Task no. 2 – Webbing for carrying equipment, 2,500 units
• Task no. 3 – Webbing  for carrying equipment, 2,500 units
• Task no. 4 – Webbing  for carrying equipment, 2,500 units

The Ordering Party reserves the right to exercise the option right. "

However, there is one thing that some people have missed. We are not dealing here with the wz.988/MON or the wz.988P/MON, the point of the order is the wz.988B/MON. This seemingly insignificant difference actually means a completely different piece of equipment. We are talking about a product that was presented at MSPO Kielce 2023. Visible on a mannequin standing in the corner of the hall: completely unnoticed. The manufacturer of the presented unit was the "Institute for the Development of Tactical Equipment". Fortunately, it did not escape our attention.

The set consists of:

• A waist belt with carrying straps
• A chest panel with carrying straps
• A pouch for rifle magazines
• A pouch for 2 pistol magazines
• A cargo pouch 
• A zipped pouch for small items
• An administrative pouch  with an organizer
• A pouch for first aid kit
• A radio pouch 
• A smoke grenade pouch 
• A dump pouch
• A set of connectors for the chest panel

I haven't looked closely at the design, so I don't intend to delve into it too much, but I will allow myself a few words of comment.

We are basically dealing with two independent supporting systems. A modular belt with light suspenders, which even included small laser-cut inserts. Its structure is covered with the elements of the set visible in the photo and there is not much that can be said about it. Especially since there was no opportunity to get to know this piece of element in more detail at the site. Nevertheless, it is a simple design based on the principle of a sleeve with an inner belt running along its entire length - thanks to which we can replace this element with another one. This may be useful, considering that it is made of a not very stiff 50 mm polyamide tape fastened with a buckle made by ITW NEXUS.

The Chest Rig can also be worn separately, without the belt. It has its own carrying system, made of a combination of polyamide tapes and fabric filled with soft foam. It has three rows of mounting tapes compatible with MOLLE/PALS. An interesting fact are the pockets located on the side adjacent to the uniform.

In both cases, adjustment is ensured using buckles and regulators made by ITW NEXUS, which may change in the production batch and they might be replaced by another manufacturer.

The pouches are nothing special, although someone could say that they have retained the spirit of their predecessor due to the length of their flaps.

Undoubtedly, compared to the previous model, this is a decisive step forward. Whether this is necessary is up for debate, although looking at what is most often bought for the "line" troops in Poland, it will largely meet the needs of the majority of personnel who will not be issued the KKZ-01 or the GRYF.

It seems interesting that an order was made for ten thousand sets of new light equipment when other orders for two other sets of equipment were recently announced:

KKZ-01 by PCO MASKPOL for the Polish Army

The Polish Ministry of National Defense orders GRYF Plate Carriers from Lubawa S.A

However, looking at it from a different perspective, the above-mentioned purchases are modular sets containing a hard anti-ballistic plate. However, new webbing does not have this option. It can therefore be assumed that the Ministry of National Defense wants to replace the worn-out copy of the American IIFS with a new model. Therefore, the so-called volunteer service soldiers and reservists called up for exercises should be the most satisfied ones with these purchases. Whether this will happen, only time will tell - if this time the tender will be successful.