The institute was founded 25 March 1926 as the Institute for Artillery Research (). The new institution consisted of three departments dubbed centres: Centre for Field Studies (later renamed to Centre for Ballistic Studies) in Zielonka, Centre for Laboratory Research and the Technical Bureau. In 1935 the institute was renamed to Institute of Armament Technology (; ITU). As one of the principal centres for research and development of weapons, the ITU was responsible for a number of successful designs introduced in the
Polish Army of the epoch. Among them were the
Wz. 35 anti-tank rifle, the
Szabla wz. 34 sabre and the
Kbsp wz. 1938M semi-automatic rifle. It was also responsible for modifications and customisations of roughly 200 types of foreign-made weapons. In the thirties col.
Stanisław Witkowski was the commandant of the Military Institute of Armament Technology. After
World War II the institute was recreated. After several reorganisations, in 1965 it was renamed to its modern name. Among the best-known weapons designed by the WITU were
PM-84 Glauberyt SMG, numerous pistols including
P-83 Wanad and
WIST-94,
RPG-76 Komar AT grenade launcher and
AHS Krab SP howitzer, as well as most post-war Polish helmet designs, including the
Hełm wz. 2005 currently used by the Polish Army. It also customised numerous types of foreign (mostly Soviet) technology for local production, including the
ZU-23-2 AA
autocannon. == See also ==