Russian Army 106th Airborne Assault Division takes delivery of first BMD-4M airborne armoured 100814

Posted On
a

Defence & Security News - Russia
 
 
Sunday, August 10, 2014 09:41 AM
 
Russian Army 106th Airborne Assault Division takes delivery of first BMD-4M airborne armoured.
The Russian Army has taken delivery of the first batch of new modernised BMD-4M airborne armoured fighting vehicle. Eight vehicles were handed to the manufacturer Kurganmashzavod and delivered to the 106th Guards Airborne Assault Division, where the BMD-4M will perform trial tests.
     
     
A decision to adopt the long-awaited BMD-4Ms has been made in the beginning of December despite an earlier statement by former deputy defense minister Alexander Sukhorukov that the vehicle had not met the requirements and would not be bought by the military.

The BMD-4M has cutting-edge command, navigation and nigh-vision equipment. Compared to the previous models, it also has more powerful weapons.

The BMD-4M is the latest generation of Russian-made airborne armoured infantry fighting vehicle that can be para-dropped to provide firepower and support for airborne troops. It is an upgraded variant of the BMD-4 (BMD-3M).

The BMD-4M is fitted with a two-man turret armed with a 2A70 100mm caliber gun, coupled to a 30mm 2A72 cannon and a 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun mounted to the right of the main armament. The 100mm gun uses an automatic loader with 34 rounds of 100mm ready to fire and 18 in reserve.

The 13-ton vehicle has a crew of two and can carry six paratroopers.
     
     
In August 2010, during a Russian airborne troops military exercises in three regions of the Central Federal District – Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Ivanovo, new airborne combat vehicles BMD-4M were air-dropped for the first time.

The Russian military is expected to acquire at least 1,000 BMD-4Ms under the current rearmament program until 2020.

At present, 123 BMD-3 and 60 BMD-4 airborne combat vehicles are in service with the Russian Airborne Troops, with the rest being outdated BMD-2 models.