Russian airborne troops to receive BMD-4M IFVs in 2019.

The Russian airborne troops will receive an experimental shipment of BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicle (Sadovnitsa) in 2019, the Russian Defense Ministry said. "New airborne infantry fighting vehicles will be supplied to airborne units for parachute landing," the ministry’s press service said.

BMD-4M displayed at Armya-2018 near Kubinka (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The main equipment set comprises the PBS-950U platformless parachute system and the series 2 MKS-350-12M multi-dome parachute system. The total area of the parachute system designed exclusively for airdropping BMD-4M from airlifters of the Russian Aerospace Forces exceeds 4,000 meters.

The BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicle (AIFV) is a profoundly modernized variant of BMD-4 with a new body, engine, running gear and other joints. BMD-4M is equipped with a Bakhcha-U module. The AIFV is capable of firing at a range of up to 7 km from a distance of 5 km. The main weapons comprise a 100 mm gun with a load of 34 high-explosive fragment projectiles, 4 Arkan anti-tank guided missiles and a 30mm automatic gun with a load of 500 shells of various caliber and a 7.62 mm machine-gun.