BMPT Terminator inducted in a Russian tank regiment in South Urals.

The first Terminator tank support vehicles (BMPT) were delivered for test operation in the Russian army in late 2020. It is a new class of hardware, which calls for its integration into the troops. The Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper wrote that the Terminator has recently formed a company in a tank regiment of the tank division of the Central Military District deployed in South Urals and is engaged in combat training.
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BMPT-72 Terminator-2 displayed at Army-2019 near Kubinka (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The BMPT "Terminator" is an armored fighting vehicle (AFV) designed and manufactured by the Russian company Uralvagonzavod. This vehicle was designed for supporting tanks and other AFVs in urban areas. The BMPT is unofficially named the "Terminator" by the manufacturers. It is heavily armed and armored to survive in urban combat. This AFV is equipped with four 9M120 Ataka-T guided missile launchers, two 30 mm 2A42 automatic guns, two AG-17D grenade launchers, and one coaxial 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun.

The BMPT is built on the chassis of the widely-used T-72 main battle tank. It’s design was based on combat experience gained during the Soviet-Afghan War and the First Chechen War. Multiple prototypes of a tank support combat vehicle were created prior to the design of the current BMPT. The Object 199 "Ramka" was the prototype later to be known as the modern BMPT with the official producer being Uralvagonzavod.

A small number were delivered to the Russian Ground Forces for evaluation beginning in 2005. The Russian Defence Ministry finally ordered the BMPT in August 2017. Deliveries of more than 10 vehicles began in early 2018. On December 1, 2021, the first in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation BMPT company of nine combat vehicles was introduced into one of the tank regiments of the tank division of the Central Military District. This version, unofficially referred to as the "Terminator-3," incorporates the chassis, hulls, and components of the T-14 Armata tank (the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper mentions a T-90 undercarriage).

BMPT of the South Ural tank formation participated in an experimental exercise to study the combat characteristics of the vehicle and the best engagement methods in combat order. “They included fighting in highlands, assaulting residential settlements, operating as an antitank or general reserve of a regiment, brigade or division. The tests clearly showed that the vehicle is effective, is more maneuverable than IFV or APC, and the armor promotes successful missions,” the Krasnaya Zvezda said.

Test operation of BMPT will continue in the new training year. A Terminator unit will participate in a bigger experimental exercise in summer held at the battalion level. The capabilities of the vehicles to support a motorized infantry regiment will be tested. “The Terminator will participate in the new training year in the first joint exercise with a tank battalion rearmed with the latest T-72B3 tanks,” the newspaper said.