Russian defense industry unveils new version of BMP-3 tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) fitted with a Berezhok combat turret at Army-2021, International Technical Forum that takes place at the Patriotic Park near Moscow, Russia.
Russian tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle BMP-3 fitted with a Berezhok combat turret at Army-2021, (Picture source Army Recognition)
The BMP-3 is the latest generation of tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) in the BMP family. The vehicle entered into service with the Russian army in 1990. The BMP-3 was developed by Kurganmashzavod while the turret was designed by KBP Instrument Design Bureau.
The original BMP-3 is fitted with a two-man turret mounted in the center of the hull with the commander seated on the right and the gunner on the left. The turret is armed with one 100 mm 2A70 gun, a 30 mm 2A72 coaxial cannon, and a 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun, all in a common mount. The armament is stabilized in two planes via the 2E52 electromechanical system.
The Berezhok combat weapon station mounted on BMP-3 IFV is armed with one 30 mm 2A42 main gun used on the BMP-2 IFV, a PKT 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. The turret also includes two 9M133 Kornet-E anti-tank guided missile launchers mounted on each side of the turret and one AGS-30 30 mm automatic grenade launcher located on the roof. The Berezhok upgrade also includes a new fire-control system and optics.
According to our first analysis, the BMP-3 fitted with the Berezhok combat weapon station keeps the same hull and suspension. The vehicle has a crew of three including commander, gunner, and driver. A total of seven infantrymen can be carried, one either side of the driver with the remainder being seated to the sides and rear of the turret. The troop compartment is at the rear of the hull with entry via two doors in the hull rear opening left and right, with the left door having a firing port.
The BMP-3 IFV is powered by a UTD-29M 10-cylinder 4-stroke liquid-cooled diesel developing 500 hp coupled to hydro-mechanical transmission with 4 forward and 2 reverse gears located low down at the very rear of the hull. It can run at a maximum road speed of 70 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 600 km.
the BMP-3 fitted with the Berezhok turrets seems to keep its amphibious capabilities and is propelled in the water at a maximum speed of by 10 km/h thanks to two water-jets mounted on either side low down at the rear of the hull.
Close view of the Berezhok combat weapon station mounted on BMP-3 tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle. (Picture source Army Recognition)
