Rostec Delivers New Batch of BMP-3 and BMD-4M Vehicles to Russian Forces in Ukraine.

Rostec’s High-Precision Systems holding has announced the delivery of a new batch of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles and BMD-4M airborne combat vehicles to the Russian armed forces as of October 8, 2024, incorporating significant protection enhancements. This delivery, including units produced at the Kurganmashzavod plant, underscores Rostec's efforts to strengthen military preparedness with advanced and resilient equipment.

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The BMD-4M is an airborne combat vehicle. (Picture source: Vitaly Kuzmin)

The upgraded vehicles are equipped with additional armor and grid screens for enhanced defense in combat situations. Additionally, the vehicles are fitted with the “Nakidka” cloaking system, designed to reduce visibility in thermal and radar spectrums through non-combustible materials. This system improves vehicle survivability on the battlefield by minimizing detectability.

The BMP-3 is an infantry fighting vehicle designed in Russia, intended to accompany troops and provide both offensive and defensive support. Built with a welded aluminum alloy frame, it offers protection against small calibers and shell fragments, although its structure favors mobility and agility over heavier armor. Its versatile armament makes it particularly effective in operations, combining a 100 mm main gun capable of firing explosive and anti-tank rounds, a 30 mm automatic cannon for engaging light targets, and three 7.62 mm machine guns for close-range coverage. This firepower enables the BMP-3 to neutralize a variety of threats, from infantry to lightly armored vehicles.

Weighing 18.7 tons, the BMP-3 can transport a crew of three, along with up to seven infantry soldiers, making it a strategic asset on the ground. In terms of mobility, it can reach speeds of 70 km/h on roads and is amphibious, traveling at 10 km/h in water, allowing it to cross water obstacles without needing bridges or additional vehicles.

The BMP-3 is also equipped with modern devices, including a fire control system that optimizes the accuracy of its main armament, night vision equipment for operations in darkness, and an NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection system that ensures the safety of the crew and passengers against unconventional threats. With an operational range of 600 kilometers, it can undertake extended missions without frequent refueling, enhancing its capacity for rapid intervention. Used by numerous countries, including Azerbaijan, Iraq, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates, this vehicle represents a robust and flexible solution for armed forces in modern conflict zones.

The BMD-4M is an airborne combat vehicle designed in Russia to enhance the mobility and firepower of paratrooper units on the battlefield. Armed with a 100 mm main gun capable of firing explosive and anti-tank projectiles, it also features a 30 mm automatic cannon and a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun, providing engagement capability against various targets, from fortified positions to light armored vehicles and infantry. This vehicle’s protection is designed to withstand impacts from 30 mm ammunition at the front, while the sides of the hull are protected against 7.62 mm rounds and shell fragments, ensuring optimal crew safety in intense combat situations.

Weighing 13.5 tons, the BMD-4M is lightweight and fast, reaching a speed of 70 km/h on the road. This speed, combined with its low weight, facilitates air transport and deployment by airdrop, allowing airborne troops to have rapidly deployable armored support. Designed to accommodate a crew of two and up to six infantry soldiers, the BMD-4M ensures secure transport and immediate response capability with its sophisticated armament.

Beyond its firepower, the BMD-4M is equipped with several modern systems to optimize mission effectiveness. A computerized fire control system enhances weapon accuracy, while night vision devices enable operations in low-light conditions. An NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) protection system safeguards the crew against unconventional threats, and a fire detection and suppression system provides additional safety in case of an incident. With a range of 500 kilometers, the BMD-4M is capable of extended operations, enabling airborne troops to conduct offensive missions without relying on frequent resupply. Used exclusively by Russian forces, the BMD-4M embodies the balance between mobility, protection, and firepower for rapid deployment operations.

Over 80% of the weaponry used in active operational areas is produced at Rostec facilities, encompassing artillery systems, anti-aircraft systems, drones, firearms, ammunition, and armored vehicles such as the BMP-3 and BMD-4M. According to Bekhan Ozdoev, industrial director of Rostec's weapons cluster and a member of the Russian Union of Mechanical Engineers, Kurganmashzavod increased its production of BMPs and BMDs by 20% over the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. Rostec’s facilities, some of which operate 24/7, maintain high production levels to meet defense orders effectively, efficiently, and within the timelines required by the armed forces.

The BMP-3 is an infantry fighting vehicle designed in Russia. (Picture source: Vitaly Kuzmin)