Russian BMD-4M airborne vehicle to be fitted with Kornet missile.

The BMD-4M airborne combat vehicle may receive the Kornet anti-tank guided weapon system for increasing its firepower. A source at the military-industrial complex told about the versions of fitting the combat vehicle with the Kornet weapon.

BMD-4M Russian Airborne Armored vehicle at military parade rehersal (Picture source: Wikipedia)

"Two versions have been developed for increasing the airborne combat vehicle’s fire power by means of the Kornet. In the first one the weapon is integrated in the BMD-4M fire control system (FCS) which will enable firing by day and night, on the move and afloat," the source said to the agency, noting that this method is rather laborious since it requires adjustment of the fire control system and rearrangement of the vehicle layout. "This may take three to four years. The second version implies the rod principle, i.e., a portable Kornet is mounted, instead of a tripod, on a sort of a rod affixed to the vehicle turret. This version has a drawback since the launcher is not integrated in the FCS and is not stabilized, which is why firing on the move will be difficult," the source told the agency.

He added that the second version of installation has, however, its advantages since "on the rod" principle involves no serious modification of the vehicle. Besides, thus the Kornet can be quickly mounted not only on the BMD-4M, but also BMD-2 and BTR-MDM armored personnel carrier. The source noted to the agency that the A.G.Shipunov Design Bureau proposes by way of an initiative such versions to the airborne troops.