According to mil.in.ua on May 4, the Russian army has received a new batch of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, the third one produced by Kurganmashzavod in 2023. This plant is part of the Russian corporation Rostec, which announced the transfer of new military equipment.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The third batch in 2023 of BMP-3 for the Russian army (Picture source: Kurganmashzavod)
During the first quarter of 2023, Kurganmashzavod delivered as many infantry fighting vehicles as in the whole year 2019. The pictures released by the press service of the Russian enterprise show the shipment of several dozens of BMP-3, probably BMP-3Ms by rail. The message states that Kurganmashzavod is currently operating in an enhanced mode: its personnel works 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. In some areas of the enterprise, a 24-hour work schedule has been established. The Russian army received the previous batch of BMP-3 last April, when several dozens of combat vehicles were handed over.
The third batch in 2023 of BMP-3 for the Russian army (Picture source: Kurganmashzavod)
The BMP-3 (Boyevaya Mashina Pehoty - 3, "infantry fighting vehicle - 3") is a Russian amphibious infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) designed and developed in the 1980s. It is one of the most advanced IFVs in the world, with a powerful armament, advanced fire control system, and outstanding mobility.
The BMP-3 was developed by the Kurganmashzavod Design Bureau and entered service with the Russian Army in the early 1990s. It is a heavily armored vehicle with a crew of three and can carry up to seven fully equipped soldiers. The BMP-3 is capable of amphibious operations and can travel at high speeds both on land and in water, thanks to its two water jets located at the rear of the vehicle.
This IFV is armed with a 100mm 2A70 semi-automatic gun that fires high explosive fragmentation, armor-piercing, and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). It is also equipped with a 30mm 2A72 automatic cannon and a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun for close defense. The BMP-3's armament is controlled by an advanced fire control system that includes a laser rangefinder, thermal imaging sights, and a ballistic computer.
The BMP-3's armor protection is classified, but it is known to provide good protection against small arms fire, artillery fragments, and some types of anti-tank missiles. The vehicle also has an automatic fire suppression system, which can extinguish fires caused by enemy attacks or mechanical failures.
The BMP-3's mobility is another of its strong points. It is powered by a 500 hp diesel engine, which gives it a top speed of up to 70 km/h on land and 10 km/h in water. The vehicle is also equipped with a hydro-pneumatic suspension system, which can be adjusted to different terrain types, providing excellent cross-country mobility.
The second batch of BMP-3 IFVS delivered to the Russian army in 2023. The operation took place last April (Picture source: Kurganmashzavod)
Defense News May 2023
