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First BMPT tank support vehicle delivered in 2018 to Russian army

The Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) research-and-manufacturing corporation, a subsidiary of the Rostec state corporation, is expected to deliver first BMPT tank support vehicles to the Russian military in the first quarter of 2018.

BMPT-72 Terminator 2 fire support armoured vehicle (Picture source Army Recognition)

Military analysts point out that the military will get a total of more than 10 BMPTs based on the chassis of the T-90A main battle tank (MBT), while the previous modification of the platform, BMPT-72 Terminator-2, was based on the chassis of the T-72 MBT. "The new vehicle has yet to be named," they add. The first live demonstration of the updated Terminator took place in August at the Army-2017 international military-technical forum held in Kubinka outside Moscow. The new vehicle is also reported to have been tested in Syria. It is still undesignated; however, the platform is often referred to as BMPT Terminator or Terminator-3.

Previously, UVZ designed two variants of the tank support vehicle designated BMPT Terminator and BMPT-72 Terminator-2, respectively. The vehicles are intended to engage anti-tank (AT) threats, primarily AT soldiers armed with rocket-propelled grenade launchers, man-portable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems and small arms. The combat modules of the platforms incorporate the same armament suite that includes two 30 mm automatic cannons, four guided missiles and a coaxial 7.62 mm machinegun; the BMPT also carries two bow-mounted 30 mm automatic grenade launchers (AGL). The protection of both vehicles is similar to that of MBTs. According to the official portfolio of UVZ, the BMPT has a weight of 47 t and a crew of five (commander, gunner, driver and two AGL operators).

The BMPT-72 Terminator-2 is based on the T-72 chassis. Its weight (nearly 44 t) has been reduced compared to that of the baseline vehicle. The Terminator-2 is not equipped with bow-mounted AGLs, and that has resulted in the reducing of its crew to three servicemen (commander, gunner and driver). The protection of the BMPT-72's combat module has been reinforced: the automatic cannons and the launchers of the guided missiles are fitted with additional protective screens.

The contract for the delivery of the BMPT tank support vehicle to the Russian military was signed in August at the Army-2017 exhibition. "This is the first acquisition of the tank support vehicle developed by the Ural Design Bureau for Transport Machine-building [UKBTM, a subsidiary of UVZ]," Borisov said at the official signing ceremony, adding that the BMPT was procured for the Land Force.

BMPT Terminator 1 fire support armoured vehicle (Picture source Army Recognition)

In late September, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said that the BMPT demonstrators had successfully passed their trials. "The gathered data allowed the designers to reveal drawbacks of the vehicle's equipment and to fix them," the Ministry pointed out. According to the MoD, the new BMPT Terminator will incorporate chassis, hulls and components of the T-90A MBT. The Ministry pointed out that the vehicle's armament suite can engage up to four targets, including helicopters and low-flying fixed-wing aircraft, simultaneously. "The armor protection of the Terminator is almost equal to that of the T-90A tank," the MoD added.

In mid-October, Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov told Russian media outlets that the BMPT Terminator would be brought into service before end-2017. "A principally new vehicle, the BMPT, will enter service this year [2017]. A number of foreign countries, first of all, Israel and Syria have shown their interest in it," Bulgakov said in an interview with the Army Standard magazine. The official added that the vehicle had successfully passed all types of trials.

The MoD also points out that the Terminator is fitted with a cutting-edge hardware suite that integrates a target detection system, an automated fire control system, an anti-tank system with advanced missiles, automatic cannons and a machinegun. The vehicle also features high ballistic and anti-mine protection. As mentioned earlier, the main task of the BMPT is the elimination of enemy's AT soldiers. The Terminator features better speed and maneuverability compared to MBTs.