Russian airborne troops have completed military trial tests with BMD-4M airborne fighting vehicle 10.

Designed to replace the old BMD-1 and BMD-2 airborne infantry fighting vehicle, the BMD-4M is an upgraded variant of the BMD-3 airborne combat vehicle, and is expected to provide improved protection and firing power for Russian airborne troops.

Russian airborne troops expect to receive more than 1,500 BMD-4M armoured assault vehicles by 2025 as well as more than 2,500 BTR-MD Rakushka armoured transporters across various modifications.

The BMD-4M is the latest generation of Russian-made airborne infantry fighting vehicle manufactured by the Russian Defense Company Kurganmashzavod JSC. The vehicle is armed with a 100mm 2A70 semi-automatic gun able to fire standard ammunition but also Arkan Tandem 9M117M1 and Konkurs anti-tank guided missile (ATGM). The 100mm gun is coupled with one 30mm 2A72 automatic cannon. A 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun is coupled to the main armament.

The BMD-4M is motorized with UTD-29 multi-fuel Diesel engine that develops 500 hp. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 70 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 500 km.