Deployment of new Russian BMR-3MA Vepr Armored Mine-Clearing Vehicles in Ukraine.

On April 15, 2024, Vk Channel @Тrimv announced that a significant number of BMR-3MA "Vepr" armored mine-clearing vehicles, along with their initial modifications, have been deployed to unspecified military units in Ukraine. This deployment is part of a broader effort to enhance the effectiveness of mine-clearing operations in active conflict areas.
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 BMR-3MA Road Clearance Vehicle (Picture source: Army Recognition )

The BMR-3MA is equipped as part of the "Passage-1" mine-clearing system. Although primarily operated by humans, this system also allows for unmanned use of the vehicles. This advanced system is designed to tackle a wide variety of anti-tank mines, including track mines, bottom mines with mechanical, magnetic, and radio detonators, as well as side mines equipped with acoustic and infrared target sensors. Additionally, the BMR-3MA is adept at sweeping homing horizontal action mines and destroying wire lines used for remote cable control of detonators. It can create safe passages in minefields on roads, across terrain, and in populated areas, including those covered with pavement.

The introduction of these vehicles has significantly aided engineering units by providing continuously cleared areas that can be used to strengthen positions along the front lines. This strategic deployment not only facilitates safer and more efficient troop movement but also plays a crucial role in shaping battlefield tactics and fortifications.

Developed on the chassis of the T-90A tank, the BMR-3MA "Vepr" features a heavy TMT-S roller sweep equipped with inserted devices for additional mine-clearing capabilities. The vehicle offers high levels of protection with its dynamic protection against high-explosive grenades and guided anti-tank rockets. Additionally, it is equipped with smoke grenade launchers to cover its movements and operations.

The vehicle is manned by a two-member crew and provides accommodation for three engineers, all of whom can operate within a sealed cabin for up to two days thanks to life-supporting facilities including filters, a ventilation valve, and a thermo-electric microclimatic installation. The crew has access to food and water supplies sufficient for two days, along with a device for boiling water and warming food.

Equipped with advanced armor and defensive systems, the BMR-3MA provides a safe working environment for its crew, allowing it to operate on the front lines. Its armament includes a 12.7-mm remote-controlled anti-aircraft machine gun capable of engaging both air and ground targets at ranges of up to 2,000 meters.

This mine-clearing vehicle represents a significant technological advancement over its predecessors, combining traditional capabilities with innovative features to meet current and future engineering challenges. In Ukraine, the use of mine-clearing methods is crucial due to the vast amount of land mines and unexploded ordnance scattered across conflict zones. These explosive devices pose a continuous danger to civilian populations, causing injuries and deaths long after combat has ended. Mine-clearing efforts are therefore essential for securing these territories and facilitating a return to normalcy. Mine-clearing teams, including specialized units often supported by international organizations, utilize a variety of advanced technologies such as specific armored vehicles, drones, and robotic systems to detect and neutralize these threats.

Defense News April 2024