BMP-3 TRACKED INFANTRY COMBAT VEHICLE, RUSSIA
The BMP-3 infantry combat vehicle entered production in the late
1980s. It is in service with the Russia Army and over 600 have been
exported to a number of countries, including United Arab Emirates
(390 vehicles), Cyprus, Kuwait (110) and South Korea.
Kurganmashzavod of Kurgan, Russian Federation manufactures the
chassis and the Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) of Tula is
responsible for the turret. It is a tracked, armoured, amphibious
vehicle designed to engage armoured ground and air targets while
stationary, on the move and afloat. South Korea agreed to purchase
a further 30 BMP-3 vehicles in August 2002.
A command version, the BMP-3K, is available, which is the same as
the basic BMP-3, but with additional communications and navigation
equipment. A version designed for more sustained amphibious
operation is the BMP-3F. Changes in construction allow movement
afloat in Sea State 3 and firing with necessary accuracy in Sea
State 2. The BMP-3F can endure continuous amphibious operation for
seven hours. A reconnaissance version, the BRM-3K, is in service
with the Russian Army.
UPGRADED BMP-3M VEHICLE
KBP and Kurganmashzavod have upgraded the vehicle with a new turret
and engines. The upgraded vehicle is called the BMP-3M and the new
turret includes a new automatic fire control system with digital
computer, new BZS1 gunner's sight with SAGEM thermal imager and
laser illuminator, TKN-AI commander's periscope with laser infrared
illuminator and new ammunition loading system. The BMP-3M will also
be able to fire ammunition types including new 100mm laser-guided
projectiles, new 100mm HE-FRAG (high explosive fragmentation)
rounds and new 30mm APSDS (armour piercing discarding sabot)
rounds. Additional passive armour protection is effective against
12.7mm armour-piercing rounds from a range of 50m. Explosive
reactive armour is available as an option. The new uprated engine
is the UTD-32, which is rated at 660hp.
BMP-3 ARMAMENT
The main armament of the BMP-3 is a 100mm 2A70 semi-automatic
rifled gun/missile launcher, which is stabilised in two axes and
can fire either 3UOF HE-FRAG (High Explosive-Fragmentation) rounds
or 3UBK10 anti-tank guided missiles. Effective range for the
HE-FRAG round is 4,000m. Muzzle velocity is 250m/s. 22 HE-FRAG
rounds can be carried in the automatic loader, total ammunition
load being 40 rounds. Rate of fire is 10 rounds per minute.
The gun fires the 3UBK10 anti-tank guided missile round, which
consists of the 9M117 laser beamriding missile and container. This
missile is used in the Bastion missile system (NATO designation
AT-10 Stabber). The missile can engage tanks with explosive
reactive armour (ERA) as well as slow, low-flying targets such as
helicopters. Range is 100 to 4,000m. Hit probability is given as at
least 0.8 with armour penetration of 600mm. Ammunition load is 8
rounds.
Armament also includes a 30mm 2A72 automatic gun, stabilised in two
axes, which fires 3UOR-6 and 3UOR-8 rounds. Ammunition load is 500
AP (Armour-Piercing) or HE-FRAG rounds. Rate of fire is more than
300 rounds/min and range is 1,500 to 2,000m. There are also one
7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun and two 7.62 bow machine guns.
SELF-PROTECTION
The BMP-3 can be fitted with the Arena Defensive Aids suite,
developed by KBM Kolumna. The system consists of target detection
and tracking radar, computer and processing unit and protective
ammunition. The system is automatic: the radar passes tracking data
to the computer, which selects the number of ammunition rounds and
controls firing. The selected ammunition is then expelled as a
directed field. The vehicle can also be fitted with the Shtora
defensive aids system which counters anti-tank guided weapons with
SACLOS (semi-automatic command-to-line-of-sight).
The hull and turret are constructed from aluminium alloy armour.
Protection also includes steel external straps fitted on the
turret, side armour displacement panels and a double-bottom at the
front of the vehicle. NBC equipment includes a filter ventilation
unit as well as hermetic sealing. This system is located in the
rear of the vehicle, as is the ejection cooling system which,
coupled with the reduced length of the gas ventilation system
exhaust, serves to reduce the tank's thermal signature.
FIRE CONTROL AND OBSERVATION
The fire control system is automatic with manual override for both
gunner and commander. It includes a 1V539 ballistic computer, 2E52
electro-mechanical armament stabiliser and 1D16 laser rangefinder.
The gunner has a 1K13-2 main sight, a combined image-intensified
day/night sight and PPD-1 standby day sight. The commander has a
1PZ-10 day sight and TKN-3 combined day and image-intensified night
sight.
The French company SAGEM, with Kurganmashzavod and Peleng of
Belarus, have developed the Namut thermal sight for the BMP-3. This
sight is based on the SAGEM Athos eight - twelve micron three field
of view thermal imager and is fitted to the BMP-3 ICV's delivered
to the United Arab Emirates.
PROPULSION
The engine is the V-shaped UTD-29 diesel engine, which produces
500hp. The transversal mount of the engine enables the wheel drive,
cardan shaft for the waterjet drives and electric bilge pump to be
located underneath. Transmission is hydromechanical with a
hydrostatic gearbox for the steering gear and power take-off for
the water jets.
The BMP-3 vehicle weighs 18.7t and is capable of a maximum speed of
70km/h and range of 600km on roads.
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