Could Ukraine have deployed its only tank-based BMP-55 heavy infantry fighting vehicle against Russian troops?.

On April 21, 2025, Military Informant shared new pictures of the unique Ukrainian BMP-55, a heavy armored personnel carrier developed in the 2000s based on the Soviet T-55 tank chassis but equipped with a T-64 engine. This prototype, officially designated as a heavy infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), was created by the Kharkiv Armored Repair Plant in collaboration with the Kharkiv Morozov Design Bureau (KMDB) as part of a broader initiative to modernize obsolete Soviet armored vehicles. The concept behind the BMP-55 was to offer a robust platform for troop transport with substantial battlefield survivability, while making use of surplus or decommissioned T-55 tanks that no longer met frontline standards.
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The pictures, likely taken in winter due to snow accumulation, show the vehicle partially covered and apparently abandoned, without any visible damage. (Picture sources: Telegram/Military Informant and Twitter/T-90K)

Despite never proceeding beyond the prototype stage, the vehicle has recently resurfaced in Ukraine, potentially close to the combat zone, suggesting renewed interest in, or opportunistic deployment of, available hardware in the current high-intensity conflict. The BMP-55 differs significantly from Ukraine's other heavy IFV project, the BMP-64, which is based on the T-64 chassis. While both platforms share a similar mission and design logic, transforming main battle tanks into protected troop carriers, the BMP-55 uses the older T-55 hull as its foundation but notably incorporates the more modern 5TDF multifuel engine from the T-64. This 700-horsepower (513 kW) engine is mounted at the front of the vehicle, forming part of a modular engine-transmission unit designed for rapid replacement under field conditions. The engine's frontal placement is not only a logistical improvement but also a tactical one, as it adds a layer of protection for the crew from frontal assaults and explosive threats.

The prototype vehicle, developed between 2000 and 2009, features extensive armor modifications. The frontal hull is protected by 270 mm of armor, rated to withstand direct fire from 90 mm armor-piercing rounds and equivalent to Level 7 of the NATO STANAG 4569 standard. Side armor is 81 mm thick and reinforced with 20 mm anti-cumulative shields, protecting against PG-7VM grenades launched from RPG-7 systems. The rear armor is rated at 40 mm, providing Level 4 protection against 14.5 mm armor-piercing projectiles. The underside of the hull is composed of a layered composite armor scheme specifically designed to mitigate the blast effects of anti-tank mines like the Soviet TM-57, achieving protection in accordance with NATO Level 5 standards.

The vehicle's layout allows for a rear-mounted ramp, a significant tactical feature absent from most Soviet-era IFVs such as the BMP-1 and BMP-2. This configuration permits infantry to dismount under full armor protection, reducing exposure to enemy fire. The ramp also facilitates the movement of wounded personnel or logistical materials in and out of the combat compartment. The vehicle is crewed by three and can carry between eight and ten troops, depending on the internal configuration. The internal design is built around a compact and efficient layout, where the engine compartment at the front is followed by the driver and commander positions, and then the troop bay in the rear. This linear layout simplifies ingress and egress operations under fire.

In terms of armament, the BMP-55 is fitted with a remotely operated weapon station that mounts a 12.7 mm NSVT heavy machine gun. This system is paired with a launcher for anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) placed on the left side of the vehicle’s roof. The weapon systems are independently operated, each with separate fire control channels. According to visual evidence from 2009 and early product cards, both systems were originally mounted on the prototype. However, the recently surfaced photos suggest that the NSVT machine gun has been removed and the ATGM launcher is incomplete or inactive, raising questions about the vehicle’s current combat readiness. The vehicle’s maximum road speed is variously cited as 60 or 70 km/h, and it has a stated operational range of up to 600 km.

The BMP-55's frontal hull is protected by 270 mm of armor, rated to withstand direct fire from 90 mm armor-piercing rounds and equivalent to Level 7 of the NATO STANAG 4569 standard. (Picture sources: Telegram/Military Informant and Twitter/T-90K)

The pictures, likely taken in winter due to snow accumulation, show the vehicle partially covered and apparently abandoned, without any visible damage. One detail that stands out is the graffiti on the vehicle's rear, marked with “M113” in blue paint, a likely reference to the U.S.-built APC in Ukrainian service, either as a joke or a mistaken identification. The vehicle's current ownership and location remain unknown, with speculation about whether it was captured by Russian forces or simply left inoperable during recent Ukrainian operations.

The BMP-55 was originally conceived not for the Ukrainian Army, but rather as an export-oriented vehicle aimed at countries still operating large fleets of T-55 tanks. The conversion promised a cost-effective modernization path that could bring old tanks in line with modern combat requirements by transforming them into troop carriers. In 2005, KMDB even developed a full technical documentation set for converting T-54, T-55, T-62, and T-72 tanks into infantry vehicles, and this was patented in March 2006. However, the export effort never bore fruit. No foreign orders were recorded, and Ukraine itself did not pursue serial production. In the more peaceful years of the early 2000s, there was little domestic demand for such a vehicle.

The vehicle’s reappearance during the full-scale war in Ukraine, however, underscores a growing need for well-armored IFVs capable of protecting troops from artillery, drones, and ambushes. Nonetheless, a serious obstacle remains: the limited number of T-55 hulls still available in usable condition. Ukraine no longer maintains T-55 tanks in its operational inventory, having sold off most of its remaining stocks during the post-Soviet years. Modernization efforts in the Ukrainian Armed Forces have instead focused on the T-64, T-72, and T-80 families, which offer greater compatibility with existing logistics and maintenance infrastructure.

While only one BMP-55 prototype is believed to exist, it represents a noteworthy attempt by Ukrainian engineers to solve enduring challenges in infantry mobility and protection. The project drew inspiration from similar efforts in other countries, particularly Israel, which successfully deployed heavy IFVs like the Achzarit and later the Namer, both based on main battle tank chassis. Russia’s BMPT Terminator series or China's Type 59 HIFV also exemplifies the trend toward using tank platforms for specialized infantry support roles, especially in urban or high-risk environments.

The BMP-55's layout allows for a rear-mounted ramp, a significant tactical feature absent from most Soviet-era IFVs such as the BMP-1 and BMP-2. (Picture source: Telegram/Military Informant)