Russia surprises with the fifth batch of modernised BMP‑3 vehicles
The Russian industry has delivered another batch of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, the fifth this year. The delivery of the new equipment is all the more surprising given that the Russians intended to discontinue the production of the BMP-3 in favour of earlier-generation vehicles.
In the summer of 2022, the Kurganmashzavod company declared its intention to abandon the production of the BMP-3 and start – at the request of the Russian Ministry of Defence – the production of infantry fighting vehicles of the previous generation. This meant a return to the BMP-2, a design over 40 years old.
These declarations turned out to be untrue. Not only did the Russians not cease production of the more advanced vehicles, but as a result of wartime experiences, they improved them and began delivering them to the army in a modified, better-suited variant for fighting in Ukraine.
Russians modernise the BMP-3
The number of vehicles in the latest batch of BMP-3s delivered to the military is unknown. According to Russian sources – the reliability of which should be viewed cautiously – this is already the fifth batch of new vehicles this year. Russian production capacities are estimated at approximately 330 units of BMP-3 per year.
The latest BMP-3s have been improved compared to the base variant. The vehicles received, among other things, multispectral Nakidka coverings that reduce radar and thermal signatures. The use of Nakidka excludes the installation of anti-drone cages; however, the modernised BMP-3s received additional armour modules and jammer systems designed to protect against drone attacks.
Despite Russian claims of Nakidka's high effectiveness, vehicles with this covering have been repeatedly destroyed in Ukraine, including by Javelin anti-tank guided missiles.
BMP-3 - strong armament, weak armour
The BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle, developed in the 1980s, is the successor to earlier-generation vehicles (BMP-1 and BMP-2). The design is distinguished by very strong armament—the turret houses a 100-mm 2A70 cannon, a 30-mm 2A72 cannon, and a machine gun. The 2A70 cannon can fire regular shells and 9M117 Bastion anti-tank guided missiles.
An unusual feature is the two additional course machine guns mounted at the front of the hull on the left and right sides. The BMP-3 has inherited the key drawback of its predecessors – although the level of protection has been improved, it is a fairly light vehicle (weighing up to 21 tonnes), and therefore relatively lightly armoured.
