Exclusive: Russia Develops BMP-3M Manul to Counter US Bradley M2A2 and German Marder 1A3 IFVs in Ukraine.

In response to the presence of advanced Western armored vehicles on the battlefield in Ukraine, Russia has rolled out a new, modernized version of its BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), the BMP-3M Manul. This upgraded platform has been explicitly designed to meet the challenges posed by U.S.-supplied Bradley M2A2 and German Marder 1A3 IFVs currently used by Ukrainian forces.
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The BMP-3M Manul, Russia’s upgraded infantry fighting vehicle, was unveiled at the Army-2020 forum, showcasing enhanced armor, firepower, and crew ergonomics designed to counter Western IFVs. (Picture source: Vitaly Kuzmin)

The BMP-3M Manul, developed by Kurganmashzavod and unveiled at the Army 2020 exhibition near Moscow, introduces several enhancements over its predecessor, focusing on improved ergonomics, protection, and firepower. With these updates, the Manul aims to provide Russian forces with a capable response to NATO-standard armored vehicles on the Ukrainian frontlines.

One of the most significant design updates on the BMP-3M Manul is repositioning its engine to the front of the vehicle. This shift in layout allows for a more spacious troop compartment, accessible through a large rear ramp, improving troop ingress and egress efficiency. This configuration enhances the ergonomics and safety of disembarking troops under combat conditions, with the redesigned compartment accommodating up to eight infantry personnel. Additionally, the crew compartment is now outfitted with blast-attenuation seats, which absorb shock from explosions and reduce injury risks in case of mine blasts or other explosive threats. These improvements directly address the needs of the modern battlefield, where rapid and protected mobility is critical.

The BMP-3M Manul also features side armor enhancements and external storage boxes that improve both protection and survivability. These changes represent a response to the increased firepower of NATO-supplied IFVs, with added armor to counteract the impact of Western anti-armor weapons used by Ukrainian forces. Enhanced protection around the sides of the vehicle is designed to withstand blasts and shell fragments, offering better survivability for the crew in active combat zones.

Equipped with the TKB-947 remote weapon station (RWS), the Manul has been designed to deliver formidable firepower against both infantry and armored targets. The RWS features a 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon and a 7.62mm PKTM coaxial machine gun, allowing the vehicle to effectively suppress both personnel and light vehicles. Furthermore, the Manul is armed with four Kornet-E anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), making it a credible threat even to main battle tanks. This armament configuration allows the Manul to engage a wide array of targets across various combat scenarios, with the Kornet-E ATGMs enabling it to confront heavily armored adversaries like the Bradley M2A2 and Marder 1A3, both of which are designed to challenge infantry fighting vehicles.

The BMP-3M Manul features the new UTD-32T turbocharged multifuel engine, which provides a robust power output, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of approximately 31 horsepower per ton. With a maximum road speed of 70 km/h and an operational range of up to 600 km, the Manul offers high mobility over various terrains. The vehicle retains the amphibious capabilities of the BMP series, allowing it to cross rivers and lakes at speeds of up to 9.5 km/h, a significant advantage in Ukraine's varied landscape. These mobility features give the Manul a strategic edge in maneuver warfare, which has proven critical in Ukraine’s dynamically shifting frontlines. Despite its heavier combat weight of around 21 tons, the vehicle maintains high maneuverability, allowing it to keep pace with rapid battlefield developments.

At 7.48 meters in length, 3.4 meters in width, and 2.89 meters in height, the BMP-3M Manul is compact and versatile for various combat scenarios. It is built to handle demanding environments, overcoming obstacles such as 35% front slopes, 20% side slopes, and vertical barriers up to 80 cm high. It has a trench-crossing capacity of up to 2.5 meters. This agility is especially valuable in urban and fortified areas where maneuverability and rapid response are essential.

The BMP-3M Manul is positioned as a transitional platform between older BMP models and next-generation Russian IFVs still in development. It is a cost-effective yet highly capable upgrade that addresses the immediate demands of Russian forces on the Ukrainian front. The Manul’s design, which leverages both modernized Soviet technology and new innovations, underscores Russia’s adaptive approach in countering NATO-standard IFVs that have entered the conflict.

As the conflict evolves, the BMP-3M Manul is expected to play an increasingly prominent role in the ongoing confrontation between Russian and Western military hardware in Ukraine. Its entry into service demonstrates Russia's ongoing commitment to modernizing its ground forces with IFVs that can contend with the firepower and capabilities of Western-designed vehicles.