First delivery of BMD-4 and BTR-MDM armoured vehicles arrived to the Airborne formation of Tula

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Defence & Security News - Russia
 
First delivery of BMD-4 and BTR-MDM armoured vehicles arrived to the Airborne formation of Tula
The acceptance of a new batch of 24 BMD-4M and BTR-MDM from Kurgan machine plant was held by the servicemen of the Tula Airborne formation. All the vehicles underwent maintenance procedures and were put in storage. After the acceptance they will be ceremoniously handed over to the crews. It is to be mentioned that two Airborne battalions are to be equipped with the newest amphibious infantry fighting vehicles BMD-4M and armoured personnel carriers BTR-MDM by the end of 2015.
     
Two BMD-4M at the Tula Airborne formation
     

The BMD-4M is the latest generation of Russian-made airborne armoured infantry fighting vehicle that can be para-dropped to provide firepower and support for airborne troops. It is an upgraded variant of the BMD-4 (BMD-3M). The BMD-4M was developed by the Russian defence Companies Volgograd Tractor Plant and the Tula KBP Instrument Design Bureau, the vehicle is manufactured by Kurganmashzavod Joint Stock Company. The BMD-4M is fitted with a two-man turret armed with a 2A70 100mm caliber gun, coupled to a 30mm 2A72 cannon and a 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun mounted to the right of the main armament. The 100mm gun uses an automatic loader with 34 rounds of 100mm ready to fire and 18 in reserve. The main gun can fire conventional types of ammunitions and also the 100mm laser-guided ammunition Arkan Tandem 9M117M1 which can be used against modern main battle tanks at a maximum range of 5,500m and against sheltered and exposed personnel and fortifications at a maximum range of 7,000m.

The BTR-MDM is fully amphibious and could be also proposed to the Russian Marine Corps. The purpose of this new vehicle is to be fully compatible with all the range of airborne armoured vehicles in service with the Russian armed forces as the BTR-MD and BMD-4M airborne armoured infantry fighting vehicle. For it's self-protection the BTR-MDM is equipped with a remote weapon station armed with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun. Another 7.62mm machine gun is mounted at the front right side of the hull. Two smoke grenade discharger are mounted to each side at the front of the vehicle.