Russia's BMP‑3 Sinica: The evolution of infantry armoured vehicles set for frontline testing in Ukraine

Russians are known for being pioneers in employing remotely controlled armoured vehicles. Even during the Second World War, they utilised 'teletanks', tanks that were primarily redesigned to be controlled via radio, though without much success.

A comparable concept seems to be implemented in the BMP-3 Sinica, a vehicle 80 years more advanced. Its crucial component - the Sinica turret - was first showcased in 2017, in combination with the BMD-4M transporter chassis.

The vehicle assumed its present form as a Sinica turret on the BMP-3 chassis, five years later when it was exhibited at the Army-2022 fair.

The turret utilises a highly potent armament, identical to the one in the basic version of the BMP-3 with the Bachca-U turret: a 100-mm cannon, which also doubles as a launcher for anti-tank guided missiles, it's equipped with an automatic loader with a reserve of 22 missiles. Four of these are guided anti-tank missiles from the 9M117 Bastion system.

Working in tandem with the 100-mm cannon is another 30-mm 2A72 cannon and a 7.62-mm PKTM machine gun. In the BMP-3 Sinica model, the vehicle is operated by a two-person crew, in charge of controlling both the vehicle and its weaponry, as opposed to the usual three-person crew.

They can undertake this task from inside the vehicle, but also while stationed outside, thanks to a portable console, when the BMP-3 Sinica operates as an unmanned vehicle.

According to the Russians, such configured equipment is intended for use in reconnaissance missions or combat under specific threat conditions, and also to lead convoys of manned vehicles. After undergoing a series of tests on Russian test grounds, the BMP-3 Sinica vehicles are set to be dispatched to Ukraine, where additional trials will occur under frontline conditions.