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Russia to launch production of new combat vehicles based on Kurganets-25 tracked chassis 12804172

Military Defense Industry Technology - Kurganets-25 platform

Russia to launch production of new combat vehicles based on Kurganets-25 tracked chassis.

The serial production of military combat vehicles based on the Kurganets-25 medium tracked platform will begin in 2021, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said during a working trip to defense contractors in Volgograd in south Russia.

Kurganets-25 BMP Infantry Fighting Vehicle variant at rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade of May 9, 2017.

"The serial production will begin in 2021 but it does not mean that we have put it aside. We have some time to reveal all weaknesses, test them, hedge all technical risks connected with the adjustment of the engine, automatic gearbox and sights," Borisov said.

The Infantry Fighting Vehicle (BMP) variant on the Kurganets-25 chassis was unveiled at the Victory Day Parade on May 9, 2015. Currently the Kurganets-25 platform is available in IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) , APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier) and ARV (Armoured Recovery Vehicle) configurations.

The Kurganets-25 platform is expected to serve as the basis for an armored personnel carrier, an armored recovery vehicle, the 120mm self-propelled gun and 57mm antiaircraft artillery system.

The Kurganets-25 BMP will take part this year to the Victory Day military parade on May 9, 2017 in the center of Moscow.

The Kurganets-25 BMP could replaced the BMP IFV family currently in use by the Russian armed forces. In January 2014, the Russian Ministry of Defense has announced that the Russian army ground forces plan to renew 70% of its fleet with new armoured and main battle tanks for 2020.

The Kurganets-25 BMP is equipped with an electrically powered unmanned turret mounted in the centre of the hull. The turret is armed with the 2A42 30mm automatic cannon. A 7.62mm coaxial PKT machine gun is mounted to the left side of the main armament. Two launchers of anti-tank guided missile Kornet-EM are mounted on each side of the turret.