Russia receives new batch of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles.

The Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Central Military District of Russia, located in the Sverdlovsk region, has recently enhanced its arsenal with the addition of a new batch of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, as confirmed by the district's press service.
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BMP-3 IFV tracked armored infantry fighting vehicle. (Picture source: Vitaly V.Kuzmin)

This latest acquisition, comprising 30 modern BMP-3 vehicles, has been allocated to the 228th Guards Motorized Rifle Leningradsko-Pavlovsky Regiment. This update is part of a broader initiative to modernize the regiment's equipment, significantly improving its operational capabilities.

The delivery of these vehicles marks the completion of a significant contract with the Kurgan Machine-Building Plant, noted for its role in the serial production and supply of BMP-3s to the Russian military. This final batch was announced as delivered to the Russian defense sector on December 13, 2023.

The BMP-3 is a versatile infantry combat vehicle designed and manufactured in Russia. It is currently used by several countries worldwide, including Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Nicaragua, Russia, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

It features a 100 mm main gun capable of firing guided and unguided munitions, complemented by a 30 mm gun and three 7.62 mm machine guns. The BMP-3's design focuses particularly on protection and mobility. Its hull is constructed from welded aluminum alloy, effectively protecting against small arms fire and shell splinters. Regarding mobility, the vehicle can reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h on the road and 10 km/h on water, making it agile in various operational environments.

Weighing 18,700 kg, the BMP-3 is relatively light for its category, contributing to its speed and maneuverability. It has a range of 600 km, allowing it to operate over long distances without frequent refueling.

The BMP-3 is also designed to transport troops efficiently. It can accommodate a crew of three, in addition to carrying up to seven infantrymen. The vehicle's dimensions, with a length of 7.14 m, a width of 3.23 m, and a height of 2.65 m, make it spacious enough for such transport capacity while remaining relatively compact for an armored vehicle.

To support operations in various environments and conditions, the BMP-3 is equipped with an advanced fire control system, night vision, and an NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) protection system.

Despite Russia losing a significant number of armored vehicles in Ukraine, it has developed its defense industry to cover the losses, and the deliveries of various types of armored vehicles are increasingly strengthening its forces. However, it remains to be seen if the increase in deliveries will compensate for the losses and if Russia will be able to maintain this production pace.