BRM-1K Model 2021 BRM-1KM

Reconnaissance tracked armored vehicle - Russia

The BRM-1K Model 2021 is a modernized version of the previous model of the Soviet-made BRM-1K, a reconnaissance tracked armored vehicle based on the BMP-1 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) tracked chassis which was produced between the years 1973 -1988. In the Russian army, the BRM-1K is normally used by a reconnaissance company of a motorized rifle or tank regiment, and three of them are assigned to the reconnaissance battalion of a motorized rifle or tank division. The new version of the BRM-1K was unveiled during the edition 2021 of the Russian Military Technical Forum near Moscow. It is based on the BMP-1AM, a modernized version of the BMP-1 tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle). The BRM-1K Model 2021 was deployed for the time by the Russian army during combat operations during the Russo-Ukrainian War 2022.

BRM-1K variants:

- BRM-1 (BMP-R or BMP M1976): It is the first version of the reconnaissance tracked armored base on the BMP-1 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle). The vehicle is fitted with an enlarged two-man turret equipped with a PSNR-5K Tall Mike ground surveillance radar able to detect vehicles at a distance of up to 7,00 0m and people up to 2,000 m. The vehicle is alos equipped with a 1PN22M2 sight and one 1D8 laser rangefinder
- BRM-1K (BMP M1976/2): It is also derived from the BMP-1 IFV but fitted with a new two-man turret armed with the same 2A28 73mm cannon such as the original BMP-1 but without the anti-tank missile launcher. A PSNR-5K 1RL133-1 Tall Mike can be automatically erected at the rear of the turret roof. In the road position, the radar can be lowered into an armored cover. The vehicle is also equipped with a TNA-4 navigation system, two short and long-range radios, a laser range finder, a target calculator system, and NBC protection system.

Armament

The BRM-1K Model 2021 is fitted with a remotely operated weapon station armed with one 2A72 30mm automatic cannon and one PKTM 7.62mm coaxial machine gun mounted to the right of the main armament. A bank of three 81mm 902V Tucha smoke grenade dischargers is mounted on each side of the 30mm cannon.

Close view of BRM-1K Model 2022 turret

Design and protection

The design of the BRM-1K is similar to the BMP-1AM. It is based on the chassis and suspension of the BMP-1 tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle). The driver is seated at the front of the hull on the left side and has a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the right. The commander is seated behind the driver  The vehicle has a crew of five including a driver, commander, gunner and two operators, and has a combat weight of 14,200 kg. The rear part of the hull is fitted with two doors which have integral fuel tanks with 60 liters in the left door and 70 liters in the right. One storage box is mounted on each side of the hull. The hull of the BRM-1K is made of all-welded steel which provides the crew protection against the firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters. A telescopic mast is folded aft of the hull roof. It can be erected on the right side of the hull and used for the radio communications systems of the vehicle.

A telescopic mast and a temperature sensor are mounted at the rear of the hull

Mobility

The BRM-1K Model 2021 is powered by a UTD-20S1 Diesel engine developing 300 hp and uses the original torsion bar suspension of the BMP-1 IFV consisting of six rubber-tired roadwheels with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear and three track-return rollers. The first and last roadwheel stations have a hydraulic shock absorber and the top of the track has a light sheet steel cover, which is normally removed. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 65 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 550 km. The BRM-1M Model 2021 is fully amphibious and is propelled in the water by its tracks at a maximum speed of 7 km/h.

Accessories

The BRM-1K Model 2021 is fitted now with the 1L111M-1 J-Band ground surveillance radar able to detect moving persons and combat vehicles on the battlefield at a maximum range of around 10 km. The radar is mounted at the rear of the turret. The vehicle is also equipped with a set of communication equipment including R-168-100KB, R-168-25U2, and R-168 UPS-2 radios. The onboard equipment also includes a fire control system TKN-4GA-01 combined with a day-night sighting system, a laser range finder, and an NBC protection system. A temperature sensor is mounted at the rear top hull.

A 1L111M-1 J-Band ground surveillance radar is mounted at the rear of the turret.