Serbian MoD inducts BRDM-2MS reconnaissance vehicles donated by Russia.

Serbian Ministry of Defense has adopted several BRDM-2MS 4x4 armored reconnaissance vehicles (ARVs) donated by Russia and begun using them during exercises, according to a photo report published by the MoD on September 26.

Delivery of Russian BRDM-2MS to the Serbian army (Picture source: Twitter account of Rob Lee)

The photoset was made during an undisclosed exercise of a Serbian land unit, which was attended by the country’s Minister of Defense Alexandar Vulin. Two BRDM-2MS were involved in a live-fire training session at an open range. It should be mentioned that both vehicles carried no markings and were painted green.

During an official ceremony devoted to the delivery of the ARVs, which took place on July 29 in Nis (Serbia), the MoD officially detailed the BRDM-2MS recce vehicles. According to the Serbian military, the BRDM-2MS’s basic hull features the frontal, side, and belly protection of 14 mm, 7 mm, and 8 mm of armored steel, respectively. The vehicle’s body has been reinforced by 6 mm appliqué armor plates, providing almost all-round protection against 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm bullets. The car’s frontal arc protects against 14.5 mm bullets fired at a distance of 300 m. The counter-mine protection of the platform has been enhanced through the medium of an anti-blast insert installed in the lower part of the crew/troop compartment. The BRDM-2MS has retained the organic armament suite of the basic BRDM-2, which integrates a Vladimirov KPVT 14.5 mm heavy machinegun with a firing rate of 600 rounds per minute and a coaxial Kalashnikov PKT 7.62 mm general-purpose machinegun.

BRDM-2MS benefit from additional armor plates (Picture source: Twitter account of Rob Lee)

 The vehicle’s sensor suite has also passed through an intensive modernization. The BRDM-2MS’s electronic component are combined into a single network via a fire control system (FCS) that is coupled to safeties and a weapon stabilizer. Unlike the BRDM-2, the updated ARV has received an optical-electronic (OE) station in the rear part of the turret. The OE turret comprises a stabilized panoramic infrared observation device that allows the vehicle’s commander to detect targets at a distance of up to 5 km by day and up to 3.5 km by night. The second sighting system detects targets at a distance of up to 2.7 km by day and up to 1.5 km by night. The scout car’s situation awareness system is built of six daylight TV cameras and four black-and-white multifunctional displays.

According to the Serbian military, the BRDM-2MS weighs 6,900 kg. The scout car is powered by a new 150 hp diesel engine, producing a top speed of 100 km/h and a cruise range of up to 1,500 km. The updated ARV has retained the amphibious capabilities of the baseline car.

The Serbian MoD reported a plan to issue the BRDM-2MS vehicles to reconnaissance companies of the Serbian Land Force’s tank units. The Serbian army has already received 10 BRDM-2MS. Russia will deliver a total of 30 units.

It should be mentioned that Belgrade had operated the BRDM-2 before the recent delivery of BRDM-2MS. According to the Military Balance 2018 book published by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the Serbian Army used 46 BRDM-2s since early 2018.

Delivery of Russian BRDM-2MS to the Serbian army (Picture source: Twitter account of Rob Lee)

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