Exclusive Report: Vietnam Begins Production of XCB-01 Infantry Fighting Vehicle Modernized from Soviet BMP-1.

Vietnam has begun the low-rate initial production of its XCB-01 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), signaling a pivotal moment in the nation’s defense modernization journey. This move, part of a broader strategy to strengthen indigenous military capabilities, marks Vietnam’s transition from reliance on foreign-supplied armored vehicles to the development of its own, domestically produced systems. The XCB-01 is a modernized iteration of the Soviet-era BMP-1 platform, significantly upgraded and tailored to meet the operational requirements of the Vietnamese People’s Army.
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Despite the enhancements, the XCB-01 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) retains the distinctive silhouette and hull design of the original Soviet-made BMP-1, preserving its low profile, sloped armor, and amphibious hull. The hull is constructed with welded steel plates offering protection against small arms fire and shell fragments, while the vehicle's layout maintains the traditional front-mounted engine, central crew compartment, and rear troop section. This configuration allows the transport of up to eight fully equipped soldiers, with three crew members seated in the front compartment. The XCB-01 is also designed with the ability to operate in amphibious environments without prior preparation, using its tracks for propulsion in water. The vehicle is fitted with a modernized turret, which integrates both legacy systems and newly developed components to enhance combat efficiency and operational flexibility.

The XCB-01 is armed with a 73mm smoothbore cannon, which is a Vietnamese-enhanced version of the Soviet 2A28 Grom. The gun system includes an autoloader mechanism capable of firing high-explosive and anti-armor rounds. In addition to the main gun, the vehicle features a 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun and a 12.7mm NSV heavy machine gun mounted on the turret roof for anti-air and close defense. To further boost its combat capability, the XCB-01 integrates a B72 anti-tank guided missile launcher, Vietnam’s localized variant of the 9M14 Malyutka, capable of engaging armored threats at extended ranges. Up to four missiles can be carried onboard.

The XCB-01 is powered by a turbocharged diesel engine producing 338 horsepower, delivering a maximum road speed of 65 kilometers per hour and enabling agile movement across varied terrains. The vehicle is designed for high mobility with a torsion bar suspension system and robust tracked configuration, ensuring reliable performance in both rural and urban battlefields.

In terms of survivability, the XCB-01 features upgraded armor protection on the frontal arc, capable of resisting 12.7mm armor-piercing rounds, and side armor rated to NATO STANAG 4569 Level 3. Defensive enhancements include an integrated laser warning receiver, automatic smoke grenade launchers, and a comprehensive CBRN protection system for operation in contaminated environments.

The fire control and optics suite has been significantly upgraded, with the integration of the Vietnamese-made 1PN22VN1 multi-channel sighting system. This advanced system enhances target acquisition and engagement capabilities during day and night operations under various weather conditions. Communications are handled through the VRU12/S radio set and a satellite-based VIS terminal, providing the vehicle with secure, long-range operational coordination capacity.

Economically, the XCB-01 is a major achievement for Vietnam's defense industry. Domestic production enables substantial cost savings, estimated at nearly 50 percent compared to imported IFVs, while fostering self-reliance and stimulating technological development across the country’s military industrial sector.

The launch of the XCB-01 is emblematic of Vietnam’s broader push to develop a robust, self-sufficient defense industry. Over the past decade, Vietnam has made strategic investments in research institutions, production facilities, and dual-use technologies that enable the local manufacture of sophisticated military equipment, ranging from small arms to armored vehicles and naval platforms. These efforts are designed not only to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers but also to cultivate a national industrial base capable of innovation and sustained technological progress.

Highlighting its growing defense sector, Vietnam has also launched its own international defense exhibition, the Vietnam Defence Expo. This biennial event has quickly gained recognition as a key regional platform for showcasing domestic innovations, fostering international partnerships, and attracting investments. It also serves as a stage for debuting Vietnamese-made systems like the XCB-01, underlining the nation’s emergence as a credible player in the global defense industry.

As the XCB-01 enters this crucial phase of low-rate production, it sets the stage for future developments and a potential shift in Vietnam’s defense posture. This vehicle is not just a product of engineering. It is a national statement of independence, innovation, and forward-thinking defense policy. Army Recognition will continue to monitor this program as Vietnam moves toward full deployment and possibly even export of its first truly indigenous infantry fighting vehicle.