Poland delivers BMP-1AK IFVs to Ukraine.

Poland's Wtorplast company has delivered an unspecified number of BMP-1AK (AK stands for Anti-HEAT (high-explosive anti-tank), Anti Kumulyativnaya) infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) to Ukraine.

The BMP-1AK IFV is suggested to be a slightly upgraded variant of the baseline BMP-1 (Picture source: UkrOboronProm)

"Ukraine has taken delivery of an unspecified number of BMP-1AK infantry fighting vehicles from Polish company Wtorplast", the analysts of the think-tank say. The BMP-1AK variant of the renowned BMP-1 was not known before; however, the IFV is suggested to be a slightly upgraded variant of the baseline model with an updated internal layout and additional anti-cumulative protection.

The IFVs are supposed to be fitted with improved night vision systems and Ukrainian-originated tactical radios. "The new BMP-1AK provided to Ukraine is claimed to have improved protection against cumulative and HEAT projectiles, such as those fired by the RPG-7 [rocket-propelled grenade launcher]," the experts of the think-tank point out.

According to Ukrainian media outlets, Poland is to deliver a total of 200 BMP-1AK to Ukraine's Ministry of Defense. The first batch (approximately 30 vehicles) is reported to have already been delivered. The vehicles were supplied to Poland by Czech Republic's Excalibur Group company (a subsidiary of the Czechoslovak Group consortium). Then, Wtorplast disassembled the IFVs and delivered them to the Zhitomir Armor Plant (a subsidiary of the Ukroboronprom Group).

According to Russian analysts, the abovementioned acquisition apparently reveals a deep depletion of the Ukrainian armor stocks. The Military Balance 2018 analytical book issued by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) says the Ukrainian military operates a ‘large’ infantry armor fleet, which includes 193 BMP-1s, 890 BMP-2s, and four Soviet-age BMP-3s IFVs and a number of BTR-3/BTR-4-family armored personnel carriers. However, these figures seem to be much exaggerated. The BMP-2 armored fighting vehicle armed with a 30 mm rapid-fire automatic gun and a containerized anti-tank guided missile seems to be more effective. Within this context, the acquisition of legacy BMP-1s demonstrates the abovementioned depletion of the country's armor stocks.

According to the open sources, the BMP-1 IFV entered service in 1966. The vehicle has a combat weight of 12.6 t, and an operating range of 600 km. The baseline BMP-1 is powered by a UTD-20 diesel engine with a maximum power output of 300 hp. This powerplant produces a maximum speed of 65 km/h, a swimming speed of 7-8 km/h, and a power-to-weight ratio of 23.8 hp/t. The BMP-1 is armed with a 2A28 73 mm gun (an ammunition load of 40 rounds), a PKT 7.62 mm coaxial medium machinegun (an ammunition load of 2,000 cartridges), and a 9M14M Malyutka (NATO reporting name: AT-3 Sagger) anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system. The BMP-1AK has its ATGM launcher removed. The BMP-1's crew totals three, and the vehicle transport up to eight dismounts. The baseline IFV is fitted with the R-123M radio.