Analysis by Army Recognition editorial about the new combat vehicles displayed for the first time during the Victory Day military parade 2020 of Russian armed forces. The rehearsal of the forthcoming Victory parade celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Allied victory against Nazi Germany in 1945 has taken place in Alabino, near Moscow. At this occasion, the Russian army involved a series of vehicles and pieces of equipment either so far unknown or participating for the first time.
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New combat vehicles unveiled by the Russian army at Victory Day Military Parade 220. (Picture source: Russian MoD)
Because of the coronavirus crisis, the impressive annual Victory parade in Moscow has been delayed from May 9 to June 17, including the following night. The “Great Patriotic War” ended on May 9, 1945. The definitive text was signed in Karlshorst, Berlin, on the night of 8-9 May 1945. The 75th anniversary of this historical event will benefit from larger military participation involving both current and World War 2 vehicles, the latter splendidly restored in pristine condition, be it Soviet-made, US-made or British-made vehicles that were given to USSR in the framework of the Lend-Lease Act. Many of these historical vehicles are usually stored in Kubinka, whose museum is a well-known great place to visit at all costs.
As usual, numerous units will parade on foot, followed by a large mechanized column. This year, in full respect of President Putin’s will focusing on the patriotic feeling, the historical aspect of the parade will benefit from a spectacular World War 2 participation. Modern military and law enforcement units on foot will be represented by 11 formations. The mechanized column of the main Victory Parade will consist of 38 units of historical military equipment, as well as more than 190 modern and promising vehicle types, many of which will pass through Red Square for the first time.
Kamaz-53949 Typhoon-K 4x4 chassis with NSV 12.7mm machine and Arbalet-DM Remote Weapon Station. (Picture source Russian MoD)
Kamaz-53949 Typhoon-K 4x4 chassis
At the rehearsal of Russian Victory day military parade 2020, the Russian army showcase two versions of the KAMAZ-53949 Typhoon-K based on 4x4 chassis. One variant is fitted with one-man turret armed with one 12.7mm NSV 12.7mm heavy machine gun. The second variant is fitted with a remote weapon station Arbalet-DM armed with one 6P49 KORD 12.7mm caliber heavy machine gun.
The Kamaz-53949 Typhoon-K is a 4×4 mine-protected armored vehicle manufactured by Remdiesel, a subsidiary of KAMAZ. The design of the vehicle is standard of a 4x4 armored personnel carrier with engine at the front, driver and commander seats in the middle and troops compartment at the rear. The hull of the vehicle provides ballistic and mine protection STANAG 4569 Level against firing of small arms 14.5mm armour-piercing ammunition and explosion blast of 8kg TNT explosion under the floor and 10kg TNT explosion under the wheels.
K-4386 Typhoon-VDV light 4x4 armored vehicle personnel carrier (Picture source Army Recognition)
K-4386 Typhoon-VDV
The K-4386 Typhoon-VDV was developed and designed by the Russian Companies by JSC “Plant of special vehicles” and Kamaz. The vehicle is motorized with a KAMAZ 610.10-350 diesel engine developing 350 hp. It can run at a maximum road speed of 105 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 1,200 km.
The hull of the K-4386 is made with composite ceramic and steel armor that provides ballistic protection against firing of small arms 14.5mm armor-piercing bullets all-around the vehicle and mine blast protection of 8 kg TNT explosion under the wheels. It has a monocoque structure with an integrated V-shaped armor hull that protects occupants by deflecting mine blasts under the vehicle.
The K-4386 Typhoon-VDV at Victory day military parade 2020 is fitted with an unmanned turret BM-30-D armed with one 30 mm 2A42 automatic cannon, one 7.62 mm PKTM coaxial machinegun and six smoke grenade launchers. The optoelectronic suite installed above the main gun includes a day/night vision, infrared cameras and a laser rangefinder.
BMPT-72 fire support tracked armored vehicle (Picture source Russian MoD)
BMPT-72
The BMPT-72 (Terminator-2) fire support vehicle is based on the chassis of the T-72 MBT. According to the official catalogue of the UVZ corporation, it has a full weight of no more than 44 t (+2%), an overall length of 7.2 m, an overall width of 3.6 m and an overall height of 3.2 m. The vehicle has a crw of thre including a driver, commander and gunner. It has a maximum road speed of 60 km/h and a cruising range of 550 km (with external fuel tanks). The vehicle's armament suite incorporates two 30 mm 2A42 coaxial automatic cannons with an ammunition load of 850 rounds, a semi-automatic laser beam-guided missile system with four ready-to-launch ATAKA anti-tank guided missiles with a maximum firing range of 6 km and a 7.62 mm Kalashnikov PKTM machinegun with an ammunition load of 2,100 cartridges.
According to the manufacturer, the 2A42 30mm cannons have an effective range of 1,500 m against ground targets such as light armoured vehicles while soft-skinned targets can be engaged out to 4,000 m. Air targets can be engaged flying at low altitudes of up to 2,000 m at subsonic speeds and up to a slant range of 2,500 m.
T-80 BVM MBT Main Battle Tank (Picture source Russian MoD)
T-80BVM
The T-80BVM is an upgraded version of the T-80BV tank. It has a multi-channel sight, a 125mm 2A46M1 gun and 12.7mm NSVT antiaircraft and 7.62mm PKT coaxial machineguns. The ammunition load comprises 45 gun rounds, 300 12.7mm, and 1,250 7.62mm cartridges. It also has Refleks 9K119 missiles (NATO reporting name: AT-11 Sniper). The tank is equipped with a gun stabilizer and an observation device.
The T-80BVM has an upgraded GTD-1250TF gas-turbine engine with a capacity of 1,250 hp. The tank has a maximum speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) and a fuel range of 500 kilometers (311 miles). It has better maneuverability and mobility and is equipped with devices that increase its combat effectiveness, protection level and reliability in extreme conditions. The new engine improves the tank’s running characteristics, especially in harsh Arctic conditions.
T-90M MBT Main Battle Tank (Picture source Russian MoD)
T-90M
The T-90M model 2017 also nicknamed Proryv-3 is an upgraded variant of the export version of the T-90MS Main Battle Tank (MBT) developed and designed by the Russian Company Uralvagonzavod. The T-90M Model 2017 is improved in terms of protection, mobility and firepower.
Main armament of the T-90M Model 2017 Proryv-3 consists of one 125 mm 2A46M-4 smoothbore gun able to fire standard ammunition but also anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) Refleks NATO Code AT-11 Sniper-B. The main 125 mm armament is stabilized and enables the T-90M to shoot on the move with a high probability of a first-round hit. The second armament includes one PKT 7.62mm coaxial machine mounted to the right of the main armament. at the rear of the commander hatch is mounted a remotely operated weapon station armed with an NSVT 12.7mm heavy machine gun.
The layout of the T-90M Model 2017 Proryv-3 is similar to all the family of Russian T-90 MBT with a driver at the front, turret in the center and the power pack at the rear. The T-90M features a new all-welded turret design protected by the Relikt ERA (Explosive Reactive Armour) armour fitted at the front and on each side of the turret. It features higher protection performance and serviceability compared with the Kontakt-5 ERA suite.
BMP-2M Berezhok tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle (Picture source Russian Mod)
BMP-2M Berezhok
The BMP-2M "Berezhok" is an upgraded version of the Soviet-made BMP-2 tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) with the same two-man turret as the standard BMP-2 armed with a stabilized 30 mm cannon 2A42 and a 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun mounted to the left of the main armament, but new weapons is mounted on the turret as a 30mm AG-17 automatic grenade launcher and four launchers of 9M133 Kornet series anti-tank guided missiles.
Compared to the baseline BMP-2, the Berezhok is equipped with a far better sensor suite. The turret has received an automatic target tracker and a ballistic computer. According to KBP, the module fires up to two missiles in salvo mode in order to score higher hit probability.
The BMP-2M "Berezhok" keeps is based on the standard BMP-2 torsion bar suspension consisting of each side with six roadwheels with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear and three track return rollers. The upper part of the suspension is protected by armour plates. The vehicle can carry a total of 9 military personnel including a driver, gunner, commander and 6 infantrymen.
2S38 57mm self-propelled anti-aircraft tracked armored (Picture source Russian MoD)
2S38
The 2S38 Derivaciya PVO is a new Russian Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) based on the tracked chassis of the BMP-3 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle). It is designed to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, air-to-ground missiles.
The 2S38 is fitted with a remotely-controlled weapon station armed with on 57mm automatic cannon. The second armament includes one 7.62mm machine gun mounted to the right side of the turret. The vehicle is fitted with a passive detection and tracking systems. It uses its thermal sight rather than radar to detect and track air targets. It can detect aerial targets at ranges of 12,300 m depending on detection mode and UAVs at a range of 4,900 m maximum. The 57mm cannon has a maximum firing range of 6,000 m.
T-15 57mm tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle (Picture source Russian Mod)
T-15 IFV with 57mm cannon
The T-15 is a new generation of Russian tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle), previously the T-15 was armed with one 30 mm 2A42 automatic cannon as main armament, but at the Victory Day Military Parade, the T-15 is fitted with a remotely operated weapon station armed with one 57 mm automatic cannon.
The 57 mm cannon is also mounted on the 220M Baikal remotely operated weapon station. The new 57mm is based on a modified S-60 towed anti-aircraft cannon. It has a range of 14.5 km with a maximum rate of fire of 80 rounds per minute. The ammunition stock comprises 80 shells and includes 57mm projectiles including multirole ammunition with remote contact detonation, armor-piercing, and guided rounds able to destroy small drones, low-flying jets and helicopters, as well as light armor and field fortifications.
The second armament of the T-15 shown at Army-2018 also included one remotely operated weapon station armed with one 7.62mm machine mounted to the right side of the main armament as well as two Ataka anti-tank guided missiles. The Ataka is a powerful anti-tank missile with much-improved performance over the older AT-6 Spiral. It has a maximum firing range of 6 km and the tandem warhead could provide penetration of 800 mm armor.
The T-15 with 57mm cannon has the same level of protection as the T-14 Armata with a modular armor system made of steel, ceramics and composite materials. It offers up to STANAG 4569 Level 5 protection. Its forward portion is covered with reactive armor as well as on the sides of the hull. It can be also fitted with additional active and passive armor. The new Afganit hard-kill active protection system is also mounted on the T-15 57mm to defend the vehicle against incoming anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), rockets and RPGs.
Kurganets with Epokha turret tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle (Picture source Russian Mod)
Kurganets with Epokha turret
The Kurganets is new tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) developed by the Russian Defense industry, the first version was fitted with a turret armed with the 2A42 30mm automatic cannon. A 7.62mm coaxial PKT machine gun is mounted to the left side of the main armament.
The new version showcases at Victory Day Military parade 2020 is fitted with the Epokha turret, a remotely controlled weapon station armed with one 30mm automatic cannon, one 7.62mm coaxial machine and two launchers for Kornet anti-tank guided missiles mounted on each side of the turret.
2S33 152mm self-propelled tracked howitzer (Picture source Russian MoD)
2S33 2S19M2 MTSA-SM2
The 2S33 MSTA-SM is an improved version of the 2S19 MSTA-S 152mm tracked self-propelled howitzer armed with a new 2A79 152mm cannon which has a greater range of fire. The 2S33 artillery howitzer has a now range of more than 40 km, compared to the 2S19 which has a maximum firing range of 25 km.
The 2S19M2 is fitted with an upgraded aiming and fire-control system offering more accuracy and allows the crew to hit targets at a rate of fire of up to 10 rounds per minute.
BM-30 upgrade 300mm MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System (Picture source MoD)
BM-30 upgrade
The latest version of the BM-30 Smerch showcases at Victory Day Military parade 2020 is fitted with a Glonass antenna mounted on the crew cabin. As for the modernized version of the BM-21, the Tornado-G, the upgraded version of the BM-30 is equipped with a satellite guidance system. The weapons system is equipped with an automated laying and fire control system, along with autonomous satellite navigation and positioning system. It can fire rockets with a range from 25 to 70 km
The BM-30 Smerch 9K58 launcher vehicle is equipped with 12 launcher tubes. The 300 mm rocket tube arrangement is two separate banks of four with a connecting roof of the remaining four tubes overlying the inner tubes of the banks.
Pantsir-SM short-range cannon/missile air defense system (Picture source Russian MoD)
Pantsir-SM
The Pantsir-SM is a new gun/missile air defense system in the family of Russian-made Pantsir. The vehicle is base on a KamAZ-53958 Typhoon-K 8x8 chassis. The front of the truck chassis is fitted with a fully enclosed armor cabin offering protection against firing of small arms and artillery shell splinter. The weapon system is mounted at the rear of the truck chassis.
The Pantsir-SM is superior to the Pantsir-S1 by 1.5-2 times. It incorporates a multi-functional targeting radar station, increasing target detection range from 40 to 75 km and engagement range from 20 to 40 km, thus twice more efficient than the current Pantsir-S1. The weapon station is fitted on a new KamAZ K-53958 8×8 chassis with armored cab.
The new Pantsir-SM incorporates a multi-functional targeting radar station, increasing the target detection range from 40 to 75 km and the engagement range from 20 to 40 km. It is able to destroy aerial targets at a maximum range of 40km and at a 15km altitude, twice more than the current Pantsir-S1. The new radar is able to detect targets at a distance of 75 km. The weapon station is mounted on a new 8x8 Kamaz truck chassis with armored.
Bal anti-ship coastal missile defense system (Picture source Russian MoD)
BAL anti-ship coastal missile defense system
The Bal is a Russian-made coastal defense missile system which uses Kh-35 anti-ship cruise missiles. The launcher vehicle is based on an MZKT-7930 heavy high mobility chassis with 8x8 configuration and carries 8 cylindrical containers with Kh-35 anti-ship cruise missiles.
The maximum range of the Kh-35 missile is 120 km. The Kh-35 is a sea skimming missile that flies at Mach 0.8. Since the missile is dependent on radar data the range is limited to the effectiveness of the coastal radar systems. The 145 kg shaped charge high explosive warhead is effective against medium-size naval targets, such as frigates.
A Bal battery consists of a command vehicle, two missile launch vehicles, and two transloaders. A coastal defense unit usually consists of two batteries. All vehicles are based on the MZKT-7930 8x8 truck chassis.
