Russia pushes upgraded BMP-1 IFVs at international arms market TASS 51202165

Defence & Security News - Russia
 
Russia pushes upgraded BMP-1 IFVs at international arms market
Russia is pushing upgraded BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) at the international arms market. The IFVs of the type are supposed to be the popular ones in spite of fighting against the Islamic State (IS, forbidden in Russia) terroristic group, according to a Russian defense industry source.
     
Russia is pushing upgraded BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) at the international arms market. The IFVs of the type are supposed to be the popular ones in spite of fighting against the Islamic State (IS, forbidden in Russia) terroristic group, according to a Russian defense industry source. A BMP-2 IFV equipped with Berezhok manned combat module (Photo ArmyRecognition)
     
"BMP-1 is reliable IFV, which has proven to valuable even on the XXIst century battlefield. It has powerful main gun and chassis suitable for sandy climate. You know, Iraq has acquired a batch of Soviet BMP-1s from an ex-Warsaw Treaty Organization member, and BVP-1 (licensed copy of Soviet BMP-1 produced by Czechoslovakia) vehicles. Nevertheless, BMP-1 requires several updates to have its firepower, maneuvrability and comfort of the crew and mounted troops increased", he added.

Rosoboronexport offers international customers an upgraded modification of BMP-1. The vehicle has received new Berezhok (B05Ya01) manned combat module. It incorporates 30mm 2A42 automatic gun as a main weapon with coaxial 7.62mm PKT/PKTM machinegun. B05Ya01 is equipped with anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), namely, four ready-to-launch 9M133 Kornet-E ATGMs. The module has also received 30mm AG-30 automatic grenade launcher (AGL) and six 902B Tucha smoke grenade launchers.

2A42 gun can fire armor-piercing and high-explosive shells, being able to destroy targets at the distances up to 2000 m and 4000 m, respectively. The gun has ammunition load of 500 shells.

AG-30 AGL can fire three types of grenades, namely, VOG-17M, VOG-30, GPD-30, being able to destroy personnel targets at the distances up to 1700-2100 m.

Berezhok can fire five types of Kornet munitions, namely anti-tank tandem-warhead 9M133-1/9M133-2 and anti-personnel thermobaric 9M133F-1/9M133F-2/9M133F-3 missiles. Kornet ATGMs can penetrate 1000-1300mm armour behind explosive reactive armour (ERA), being able to eliminate targets at the distances up to 5500 m.

B05Ya01 is equipped with independent sights of commander and gunner, allowing them to work in 'hunter-killer' mode. The gunner`s sight has four channels: optical, thermal imaging, laser rangefinder and ATGM control channel. The commander has received panoramic sight with laser rangefinder and television channel.
Berezhok can be installed on either BMP-1 or BMP-2 IFVs.

There is one more option to increase the BMP-1`s firepower. The vehicle can be equipped with MB-2 combat module, which incorporates 2A42 gun, coaxial PKT/PKTM machinegun and 30mm AG-17 AGL. Nevertheless, MB-2 has no anti-tank weapons.

The chassis of basic BMP-1 has also been upgraded through the incorporation of UTD-23 (420 hp) diesel engine. The vehicle`s suspension has been refurbished. The installation of side- and belly-mounted armour plates significantly increases the survivability of the upgraded BMP-1 and its resistance to ballistic weapons and mines.
     
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