The upgraded BMP-2M infantry fighting vehicles with a new Berezhok fighting compartment equipped with a 30 mm cannon and the Kornet anti-tank missile system are to enter service with combined arms units by the end of 2020, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"By the end of this year, these modernized models of armored weapons are planned to be delivered to the troops," the website of the Russian defense department says.
The ministry also clarified that as a result of the modernization, the combat vehicle is capable of firing afloat and on the move at any time of the day.
"A distinctive feature of the BMP with the new Berezhok fighting compartment is the presence of the Kornet anti-tank missile system with an ammunition load of eight missiles, of which four are ready for launch, and an automatic grenade launcher is installed in addition to the 30 mm automatic cannon." noted in the department.
New opportunities
The predecessor of the BMP-2M, the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle has been in service since 1980.
Its current modification was developed in 2005 to modernize the fleet of vehicles in service with the Algerian army, after which it was decided to produce improved vehicles for the needs of the Russian army.
The main distinguishing feature of the modified BMP-2M was the "Berezhok" combat module.
It is a two-man turret with a modernized panoramic aiming system, which can also be used at night and in low visibility conditions.
The complex includes an improved combined sight with an independent stabilization system in two planes, rangefinder channels (thermal and laser) and a guidance channel for guided missiles.
Upgraded BMP-2M infantry fighting vehicle
RIA News
© Alexander Wilf
The guns and guidance devices of the gunner and commander are stabilized, and have the ability to automatically hold the target in the sight at any time of the day and in motion.
The vehicle commander and gunner can coordinate their actions thanks to the automatic fire control system.
Communication and connection to automated battle control systems is carried out using the "Aqueduct" radio station.
It has the capabilities of secret communication, increased protection against interception and decryption, and stable operation in conditions of electronic warfare.
The BMP-2M is armed with a 30 mm automatic cannon and a 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun.
Also included in the armament kit is a 30 mm AG-17 automatic grenade launcher with 300 rounds of ammunition, which is especially effective for fighting the enemy in trenches or cover.
The previously unmodernized BMP-2 was equipped with the Fagot and Konkurs anti-tank missiles.
These complexes could conduct single firing from a spot, and the crew had to manually retrieve containers with missiles for installation before launch.
The improved BMP-2M is equipped with a launcher for four Kornet anti-tank guided missiles, with the ability to automatically launch two missiles with an interval of up to two seconds for particularly dangerous targets.
Guidance is carried out by a laser beam and can be carried out even while driving.
The Kornet missiles, thanks to the tandem warhead, can hit tanks with modern reactive armor at point-blank range.
In addition, the BMP-2M, if necessary, can be equipped with other missiles, for example, with thermobaric charges.
According to military expert Alexei Leonkov, equipping with new anti-tank systems will significantly increase the combat characteristics of the vehicle.
Kornet is one of the best anti-tank systems in the world.
It will allow the BMP-2M to fire from closed positions and knock out any armored equipment, including modern main battle tanks of a potential enemy, "Leonkov said in a conversation with RT.
The maximum speed of the BMP-2M on the highway is 65 km / h, on a dirt road - 40-50 km / h, and afloat - up to 7 km / h.
The driving characteristics of the machine are provided by a six-cylinder diesel UTD-23 with a turbocharging of 360 hp.
The crew of the vehicle is three people, while it can carry a landing of seven infantrymen.
At the Army-2020 forum, visitors were shown a variant of the BMP-2M with additional protection in the form of lattice screens from grenade launcher fire and attachment armor for large-caliber machine guns.
The main task of an infantry fighting vehicle is the delivery and fire support of units on a modern battlefield, says Alexei Leonkov.
“At the same time, the modules that are installed on it make it possible to deal with both enemy manpower, light armored vehicles, and heavy armored vehicles, if they are equipped with anti-tank guided missile systems.
The BMP-2M with new weapons will strengthen the capabilities of motorized rifle units of the Russian Armed Forces and will allow solving many tasks, ”he stressed.
"Will strengthen the capabilities of the troops"
The modernization of the BMP-2M is carried out by the Tula enterprise "Scheglovsky Val", which was equipping the Algerian Armed Forces with the "Berezhok" combat module.
The trial operation of several dozen BMP-2Ms in the Russian troops has been going on since 2018, and state tests were successfully completed at the end of 2019.
Upgraded BMP-2M infantry fighting vehicle
RIA News
© Ilya Pitalev
As a military observer, retired colonel Viktor Baranets, emphasized in an interview with RT, the BMP-2M vehicle will provide "high protection and mobility" for Russian motorized rifle troops on the battlefield.
“Russian designers in this new product have strengthened the engine, armor protection, and installed new ammunition.
The USA, Germany and France have similar combat vehicles, but in terms of tactical and technical characteristics, for example, speed, engine power, machine gun firing range, they are inferior to Russian equipment, ”the expert says.
He also clarified that the Kornet complex will allow destroying enemy tanks, armored personnel carriers and other combat vehicles.
“This anti-tank complex is one of the most effective in the world, it is among the top five in quality, speed, and accuracy of destroying enemy armored targets,” the observer explained.
Today, victory on the battlefield depends on how much the infantry is covered from enemy fire, emphasized Viktor Baranets.
“Undoubtedly, the BMP-2M will strengthen the capabilities of motorized rifle troops, and will play a more serious role in covering the Russian infantry on the modern battlefield,” Baranets concluded.