Ukrainian 41st Mechanized Brigade deploys BMP-1LB infantry fighting vehicle to support infantry operations.

On November 15, 2024, the 41st Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces used the BMP-1LB, an improvised infantry fighting vehicle based on the Soviet MT-LBu tracked chassis, during recent training exercises. The BMP-1LB is equipped with a remotely controlled weapon station (RWS) featuring a KPVT 14.5 mm heavy machine gun, designed to enhance the vehicle's battlefield role by providing additional firepower and protection.
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The Ukrainian BMP-1LB is a wartime development aimed at addressing shortages of infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and armored personnel carriers (APCs). (Picture source: Ukrainian 41st Mechanized Brigade)

The BMP-1LB's primary function is to support mechanized brigades and offset losses in armored vehicle fleets. The MT-LBu chassis serves as the foundation, with the vehicle undergoing extensive repairs and modifications to meet operational requirements. These repairs include disassembly, inspection, and reassembly, though they have been criticized for inconsistencies and insufficient quality. Reports indicate that refurbished engines are only minimally tested, with some mechanical issues, such as broken cooling belts and track malfunctions, occurring early in operation.

Modifications to the vehicle include the installation of add-on armored screens to create spaced armor, improving protection against small-arms fire and shrapnel. The original MT-LBu armor ranges from 7 mm on the sides to 14 mm at the front, which is insufficient against larger caliber weapons. The RWS includes day-and-night thermal imaging optics and a protective armor shield but lacks secondary weapons, making the vehicle unarmed if the KPVT gun fails. The RWS is operated by a gunner using a monitor and joystick within the squad compartment.

The vehicle’s weight has increased significantly due to the added armor and weapon station, affecting its mobility. On flat roads, the BMP-1LB can achieve speeds of up to 50 km/h, but its speed decreases sharply in challenging terrain, such as forests, where its pace has been reported to match that of dismounted soldiers. The increased mass also imposes additional strain on the vehicle’s chassis, leading to issues with vibration and component reliability.

The BMP-1LB can transport a crew of three—driver, gunner-operator, and commander—and carry up to eight soldiers in its squad compartment. Accessibility has been modified with the addition of larger doors and footrests, although space constraints require the driver and commander to remove their protective vests to exit the vehicle.

The cost of producing a single BMP-1LB is approximately 14 million Ukrainian hryvnias, or about $336,000. Around half of this cost is attributed to the imported RWS. Variations in design have been observed among units, suggesting that the vehicle is still undergoing development and refinement. Despite these issues, the BMP-1LB remains an essential stopgap to compensate for losses of standard armored vehicles, with production driven by the availability of MT-LBu hulls in storage.

The development of the BMP-1LB highlights the challenges of equipping Ukraine's expanding armed forces, which began the conflict in 2022 with approximately 1,200 IFVs, losing nearly 800 to date. Donations of over 3,000 IFVs and APCs from allies, along with locally refurbished vehicles, have not fully addressed the shortages caused by increased personnel and equipment losses. The BMP-1LB reflects an effort to utilize existing resources under constrained circumstances, although it presents clear limitations in mobility, reliability, and protection.