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Exclusive Reveal: Rosoboronexport Unveils the main advantages of the latest BMP-3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
On March 14, 2025, Rosoboronexport unveiled the latest version of the BMP-3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), showcasing its advanced firepower, mobility, and survivability. Equipped with a 100-mm smoothbore gun, a 30-mm cannon, and anti-tank guided missiles, the BMP-3 offers superior combat capabilities. It also features enhanced armor, active protection systems, and remote or autonomous operation, making it highly versatile on the battlefield. The BMP-3 has been a crucial asset in conflicts like the Syrian Civil War and the Ukraine conflict, strengthening Russia's defense capabilities and geopolitical influence.
The BMP-3 is a versatile Infantry Fighting Vehicle equipped with a 100mm smoothbore gun, a 30mm autocannon, and a 7.62mm machine gun, providing robust firepower to engage both infantry and armored targets (Picture source: Rosoboronexport)
The BMP-3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), developed by Rostec High-Precision Systems and promoted by Rosoboronexport, is a Russian military vehicle and is considered a significant part of the backbone of mechanized infantry battalions. It is designed to provide infantry with both mobility and firepower, playing a crucial role in modern ground combat operations. It brings together mobility, firepower, and infantry transport capabilities, which allows the battalion to operate effectively across a wide range of environments and combat situations.
The BMP-3 is a versatile Infantry Fighting Vehicle equipped with a 100mm smoothbore gun, a 30mm autocannon, and a 7.62mm machine gun, providing robust firepower to engage both infantry and armored targets. Its main gun can fire high-explosive rounds, fragmentation shells, and anti-tank guided missiles, offering multiple attack options. The vehicle’s composite and reactive armor provides reasonable protection against small arms and light anti-tank weapons, while its tracked mobility enables superior off-road performance and speeds of up to 70 km/h. Additionally, the BMP-3 is amphibious, allowing it to cross water obstacles, enhancing its operational versatility in diverse combat situations. It can carry seven fully equipped infantry, offering protection and quick dismount capabilities. In a mechanized infantry battalion, the BMP-3 plays a crucial role in fire support, close combat, and combined arms operations, adapting to various battlefield scenarios with its mobility, firepower, and infantry transport capabilities.
In addition to its firepower and mobility, the BMP-3 has been enhanced with improved armor and an active protection system, increasing its survivability in combat. A specialized additional protection kit, developed from battlefield experience, includes armor and lattice screens, upper hemisphere protection, and a "barbecue" system designed to withstand attacks from kamikaze drones. The vehicle is also equipped with a video surveillance system that enhances battlefield awareness, providing real-time environmental insights. This system is supported by advanced camera setups and thermal layers that improve the BMP-3’s ability to detect and respond to heat signatures, including threats from drones. Furthermore, the upgraded BMP-3 can be operated remotely or autonomously, offering flexibility in its deployment and reducing the risk to its crew. These technological advancements, paired with its battle-tested design, make the BMP-3 a powerful tool in modern warfare.
Since its development, the BMP-3 has proven to be a versatile and effective combat platform, used by Russia in various conflicts and peacekeeping operations. It has played a significant role in the Syrian Civil War, where it supported offensives against rebel groups with its firepower and mobility, though it remains vulnerable to advanced anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). The vehicle has also been deployed in military exercises and peacekeeping missions in Central Asia and the Caucasus, as well as within Russian military units stationed in former Soviet republics. In the ongoing 2022 Ukraine conflict, the BMP-3 has been employed in both offensive and defensive roles, offering mechanized infantry support. The BMP-3 has proven to be an effective and flexible asset in the conflict, especially in providing fire support, infantry transport, and mobility across challenging terrain. However, it has faced challenges from modern anti-tank systems like Javelin and NLAW missiles, and the increasing prevalence of drone warfare has led to significant losses in certain engagements. Despite these vulnerabilities, the BMP-3 remains a crucial asset in Russia's armored forces due to its effective combination of firepower, mobility, and armor.
The export of the BMP-3 by Russia has significant geostrategic implications, strengthening military alliances in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia while providing nations with advanced weaponry to modernize their armored forces. This enhances Russia's role as a global arms supplier, offering alternatives to Western arms and reducing NATO's influence in key regions. However, such exports can contribute to regional instability, especially in conflict zones like Ukraine, and deepen ties with former Soviet republics, reinforcing Russia's geopolitical influence. These sales also challenge NATO’s strategic objectives and offer defense options to countries resisting Western influence.