Russia Expands BMPT Terminator Orders for 2026 Weighing Export Strategy Against Domestic Demand.

According to the TASS news agency in an article dated September 14, 2025, the director of the “Uralvagonzavod” group (part of Rostec), Alexander Potapov, confirmed that the Russian Ministry of Defense has decided to increase its order volume of BMPT Terminator combat vehicles. The announcement was made during an interview on the program Voennaya Priemka broadcast the same day. Potapov specified that this increase concerns the deliveries planned for 2026 as well as future perspectives, but did not provide any indication of the exact number of additional vehicles expected. 
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Built on a T-72 chassis, BMPT-72 Terminator 2 combines 30 mm cannons, Ataka anti-tank missiles, and reinforced protection to operate in complex urban environments  (Picture source: Russian MoD)

The BMPT Terminator 1 is designed as a support vehicle intended to strengthen the effectiveness of main battle tanks and mechanized units. First unveiled in 2008 at the Russian Expo Arms exhibition, the vehicle is based on the T-72 chassis but adapted to address the vulnerabilities observed during urban combat in Chechnya in the 1990s. Its primary mission is to detect and neutralize infantry equipped with anti-tank systems, concealed or dispersed targets, and certain light armored vehicles. Able to engage three threats simultaneously thanks to its five-man crew, it is conceived as a force multiplier: tanks destroy heavy fortifications and enemy armored platforms, while the BMPT neutralizes anti-tank teams and entrenched infantry.

Its armament consists of two 30 mm 2A42 automatic cannons, a 7.62 mm PKTM coaxial machine gun, and two 30 mm automatic grenade launchers, complemented by four Ataka anti-tank missiles with a range of nearly 6 km. The entire system is mounted in a remotely operated turret capable of 360° rotation, with an elevation range from 5° to +45°. The multichannel fire control system enables engagement of targets by day or night, including in low-visibility conditions. The vehicle is also equipped with smoke grenade launchers and a laser detection system to improve survivability.

In terms of protection, the Terminator uses the base armor of the T-72, reinforced with explosive reactive armor (ERA) modules and rear-mounted slat armor against rocket-propelled grenades. The absence of a main tank gun allowed engineers to redistribute frontal protection and strengthen overall armor. At 47 tons, the BMPT is powered by a B92C2 diesel engine producing 1,000 horsepower, giving it a top speed of 65 km/h and a range of 550 km. These characteristics make it a robust armored vehicle designed to accompany tanks in urban combat as well as in open terrain.

An evolution was nevertheless introduced in 2013: the BMPT-72, also called Terminator 2. Based on the same T-72 chassis, it differs through a modernized turret, an upgraded fire control system, and a reduced crew of three. Unlike the first model, this version eliminates the two automatic grenade launchers to improve compactness and reliability. Terminator 2 also emphasizes digitized systems and better turret protection. But TASS did not specify whether the orders apply only to the initial model, to Terminator 2, or to a mix of both, deliberately leaving uncertainty over the exact type of vehicles concerned.

Despite these features on paper, the actual effectiveness of the vehicle remains disputed. Deployed in Ukraine, the Terminator has not demonstrated a decisive impact on the battlefield. Its use has often been limited and symbolic rather than systematic, with no evidence of consistent integration into large-scale operations. The doubts expressed by several analysts contrast with Moscow’s official communication, which continues to highlight the vehicle as a modern response to evolving threats.

The decision to increase orders may be explained by several factors. The Russian army might seek to expand its fleet to test the Terminator in more varied scenarios, particularly in response to the growing use of drones and loitering munitions. Another explanation lies in export ambitions. By ramping up production, Uralvagonzavod could be preparing deliveries for foreign clients, as has often been the case with other programs. The lack of detail on the number of units involved and their ultimate destination reinforces the uncertainty surrounding this announcement.

At the same time, Russia must contend with the constraints imposed by Western sanctions. Although military production continues, it faces increasing difficulties in obtaining essential components, notably electronics, optics, certain alloys, and specialized software. To offset these shortages, the defense industry has had to reorganize production lines, reactivate local suppliers with uneven capacities, or turn to partner states. This adaptation allows output to continue, but at the cost of higher expenses, extended timelines, and concerns over the quality of equipment produced. The precise impact is unclear, with Russian authorities releasing little reliable data and external estimates varying considerably.

On the export front, the trend is also negative. A large share of industrial capacity is now dedicated to meeting the needs of the war in Ukraine, limiting the resources available for foreign customers. At the same time, Russia’s traditional clients face growing political and financial pressure: the threat of secondary sanctions, difficulties with financing and insurance, and diplomatic campaigns to dissuade procurement. While some countries continue to acquire Russian materiel through alternative channels or in reduced volumes, major contracts have become scarce. This contraction reflects both the prioritization of domestic needs and Moscow’s vulnerability to international economic leverage.

The BMPT Terminator thus remains a paradoxical symbol. Presented as an innovation designed to address the shortcomings of main battle tanks, it has in practice been confined to a limited role, even as its production faces the realities of an industry under strain. The increased orders announced for 2026 underscore Russia’s determination to sustain the program, but leave unresolved the question of its strategic value, whether as an operational tool, a technological showcase, or an instrument of political messaging.