Analysis Russian defense industry IFV Infantry Fighting vehicles on the global military market TASS 10812162
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Military Defense Industry Technology - Russian IFV market
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| Analysis : Russian defense industry IFV Infantry Fighting vehicles on the global military market. | |||
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At present, infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) is one of the most popular type of military hardware on the global arms market. Mechanized infantry that rides IFVs or armoured personnel carriers (APC) is the strike force of many armed forces of the world`s states. Therefore, IFV remains in high demand by various countries.
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 Russian-made BMP-3M tracked armoured IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) at Russian Arms Expo in Nizhny Tagil, Russia. |
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Russia`s Rosoboronexport company (a subsidiary of the Rostec state corporation) offers several types of reliable and proven IFVs to potential foreign customers.
The BMP-3M IFV is a multirole vehicle that combines a personnel carrier, a medium fire support vehicle, and an anti-tank system. It can effectively destroy modern main battle tanks (MBT) at distances up to 5,500 m. BMP-3M possess an excellent maneuverability, while being a swimming and air-transportable vehicle. Most part of modern IFVs could hardly boast such abilities. The BMP-3M vehicle has retained the armament suite of the basic model. It includes a 100 mm smoothbore gun-launcher, a 30 mm stabilized automatic cannon, a 7.62 mm coaxial machinegun, and two 7.62 mm machineguns in bow mounts. The fully stabilized SOZh-M sighting system incorporates a rangefinder and an embedded guidance channel intended for anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM). It ensures enhanced fire accuracy and reduced the amount of time required to engage a target. The Vesna-K sighting system equipped with an advanced thermal imager allows detecting of tank-type targets at a distance of up to 5,000 m. It is noteworthy that BMP-3M features an enhanced dual-axis stabilizer that in conjunction with the aforementioned sighting systems allows firing on the move at speeds up to 30 km/h. The commander`s sighting system can be replaced by a panoramic sight with an integrated thermal imager and a laser rangefinder. Such a replacement drastically increases the vehicle`s fighting capabilities, as the commander can more effectively detect, acquire, and engage targets by day and night, exploiting the BMP-3M`s armament suite to full extent. A digital ballistic computer enhances the precision of all types of ammunition in various condition of fire. An automatic target tracking device facilitates the process of target searching and eliminating compared to a manual tracking. The combination of the aforementioned devices and sighting systems increases the vehicle`s fire accuracy on the move. BMP-3M is powered by the new UTD-32T diesel engine (660 h.p.) that is coupled with a robotic gear shifting system. The integration of these systems radically enhances the maneuverability of the vehicle and its dynamic performance. The vehicle also features an air-cooling unit that improves the crew performance. According to the official specifications, the BMP-3M IFV has a crew of three tankers, a passenger capacity of seven servicemen, a power-to-weight ratio of 30 h.p./t, a maximum road speed of 70 km/h, a maximum swimming speed of 10 km/h, and a range of 600 km. The vehicle`s armament suite is based on the 100 mm 2A70 gun-launcher that has a maximum effective firing range of 4,000 m for non-guided rounds and of 5,500 m for anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) and an ammunition load of 22 rounds in the loader plus eight missiles. The 30 mm 2A72 automatic cannon has a maximum effective firing range of 2,500 m for armour-piercing (AP) rounds and of 4,000 m for high-explosive fragmentation (HE-Frag) incendiary rounds. 2A72 features an ammunition load of 500 rounds. BMP-3M`s armament suite also incorporates three 7.62 mm Kalashnikov PKTM machineguns (one coaxial and two bow-mounted). The firearm has a maximum effective firing range of 2,000 m. The combat vehicle`s ammunition load also includes 6,000 7.62 mm rounds. The frontal armour of the BMP-3M IFV protects against 30 mm AP rounds. |
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 Russian-made BMP-3F amphibious version of BMP-3 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) at Russian Expo Arms exhibition in Nizhny Tagil, Russia. |
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Rosoboronexport also offers the marinized variant of BMP-3 designated as BMP-3F (F stands for Naval; Flotskaya). It is a multirole vehicle that can be used as a troop carrier, an anti-tank system, a fire support vehicle, and a landing craft. The IFV is intended for the increasing of marine units` firepower, protection, mobility, and overall combat effectiveness. BMP-3F features displacement hydrofoils with integrated armour plates, a lightweight wave deflector, and a snorkel. The aforementioned systems allow operating at Sea State 3 and firing weapons at Sea State 2. The armament suite of the vehicle is similar to the basic model and includes a 100 mm gun-launcher, a 30 mm automatic cannon, a 7.62 Kalashnikov PKTM coaxial machinegun, and two bow-mounted PKTMs.
According to the official specifications, BMP-3F has a crew of three tankers, a passenger capacity of seven servicemen (plus two additional seats), a power-to-weight ratio of 25 h.p./t, a maximum road speed of 70 km/h, a maximum water speed of 10 km/h, and a cruising range of 600 km. The IFV`s armament suite is based on the 100 mm 2A70 gun-launcher that has a maximum effective firing range of 4,000 m and an ammunition load of 22 rounds in the loader plus eight missiles. The 30 mm 2A72 automatic cannon has a maximum effective firing range of 2,500 m for AP rounds and of 4,000 m for HE-Frag incendiary rounds. 2A72 features an ammunition load of 500 rounds. BMP-3F also transports 6,000 7.62 mm rounds intended for PKTM machineguns. The frontal armour of the BMP-3F IFV protects against 30 mm AP rounds. |
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 Russian-made BMP-2M tracked armoured IFv (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) at Defense Exhibition near Moscow, Russia. (Photo Copyright Vitaly Kuzmin) |
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Rosoboronexport also offers the updated variant of the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle (designated as BMP-2M) to potential foreign customers.
BMP-2M is intended for the increasing of motorized rifle units` firepower, protection, and mobility on the battlefield. The vehicle features a new sight with integrated thermal imager and laser rangefinder. Such a system increases the combat effectiveness of the IFV`s main armament. The Kornet-E ATGM fitted with the vehicle is capable of destroying of armoured targets at distances up to 5,500 m. The main armament is complemented by the AG-17 automatic grenade launcher (AGL) that has a maximum firing range of 1,700 m. AG-17 increases anti-personnel capabilities of the IFV manyfold. The UTD-23 engine (370 h.p.) that incorporates enhanced air feed, cooling and exhaust systems drastically enhances the BMP-2M`s maneuverability. The engine increases the vehicle`s power-to-weight ratio to 28 h.p./t. The updated chassis raises IFV`s average cross-country speed. The side applique armour protects the BMP-2M`s hull against 12.7 mm B-32 AP/incendiary bullets at a 150 m distance and enhances the vehicle`s resistance to high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) munitions. According to the official specifications, the BMP-2M IFV has a combat weight of 14.46 t (+2%), a crew of three tankers, a passenger capacity of seven servicemen, a maximum road speed of 65 km/h, a maximum swimming speed of 7 km/h, and a cruising range of 600 km. The vehicle`s armament suite integrates a 30 mm 2A42 automatic cannon (an ammunition load of 500 rounds), a 7.62 mm PKTM machinegun (an ammunition load of 2,000 rounds), a 30 mm AG-17 AGL (an ammunition load of 250 rounds), and a Kornet-E launching unit (an ammunition load of four missiles). |
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 Russian army BMP-1 tracked armoured (IFV) Infantry Fighting Vehicle. (Photo Copyright Vitaly Kuzmin) |
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Rosoboronexport also offers several options to bring ageing (but still widespread) BMP-1 IFVs to a modern level. The firepower of the vehicle can be enhanced in three ways. The first variant suggests the integration of the MB-2 combat module that does not require any modification of BMP-1`s hull. The unmanned turret is fitted with a 30 mm 2A42 stabilized automatic cannon, a 7.62 mm PKTM coaxial machinegun, and a 30 mm AG-17 AGL. The day/night sighting system allows detecting of targets at distances up to 2,000 m by day and up to 1,500 m by night. The elevation angle of the armament allows eliminating of low-flying aerial targets.
The second variant envisions the installation of the single-seat combat module of the BMD-2 airborne infantry fighting vehicle (AIFV) that incorporates a 30 mm 2A42 stabilized automatic cannon, a 7.62 mm PKTM coaxial machinegun, and a roof-mounted Konkurs ATGM launcher. The operator`s sighting system allows eliminating of ground targets at distances up to 4,000 m and of low-flying aerial ones at 2,500 m. The night sight has a vision range of 800 m. The anti-tank system has a firing range of 75-4,000 m. The combat capabilities of BMP-1 are almost brought to the BMP-2 level, owing to such a modernization. The third variant suggests the integration of the organic BMP-2 turret (or its updated version). Such an option requires modification of BMP-1`s hull. The installation of the UTD-23 engine and the upgrade of the chassis increase the maneuverability of IFV and provide higher speed, softer ride, and better dynamic performance. Applique side armour enhances protection of the vehicle against enemy`s fire. The updated BMP-1 features reinforced belly protection. The anti-mine protection of the vehicle is also increased. |
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