BMP-3
Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Tomasz Szulc
Translated by Hudi
When the
BMP-1 IFV appeared in the 60s, western experts were amazed. Never before any
infantry transport vehicle had such capabilities. It had exceptionally heavy
fire power, delivered by the 73mm cannon and Malutka anti-tank missile, which
allow it to successfully engage all tanks of that time. The eight soldiers carried
it the rear section, which faced the wall while sitting, could fire their
personal weapons through fire holes. The transport section had 2 large rear
doors and 4 large hatches, which allows rapid and safe troop loading.
Additionally the vehicle was low, very mobile off-road, could overcome water
obstacle without preparations, and the slanted front armor panels were immune
to small caliber gun shots. At that time, no armored vehicles had such
features. Under the influence of BMP-1, generations of western vehicles were
produced, begging with the German Marder from 1971 to the Swedish CV-90 of
1993.
Almost immediately after the beginning of BMP-1
production, the Russians initiated its modernization program. They found that
the chassis was quite modern and mainly the weaponry requires upgrades. They
tested 73mm cannon with a longer barrel, but the combination of 2A42 30mm
automatic cannon and new 9M113 anti-armor missile were far better. They were
installed in a new, two person turret. The number of soldiers carried decreased
from 8 to 7; the vehicle was more heavy but retained floatability. Object 675,
designed in 1974 were produced under the BMP-2 designation, however further
modernization program were continued. Improved BMP-1 and BMP-2 were created, but
the generals required a new vehicle of next generation, superior to its
predecessors. Many facts concerning the creation of BMP-3 are still secret
today.
It is not clear whether the new IFV was chosen from
several competing projects (BMP-1) or was ordered to one bureau like the BMP-2.
The second theory seems more probable as there are only two construction bureau
had the expertise in building such vehicles: Kurgan Machine Factory producing
BMPs and the Wologograd Tracktor Factory manufacturing BMDs. It is not excluded
that the construction of alternative vehicles were order to other companies (f.
ex. Gorkowski factory, specialized in wheeled vehicles), but there are no
proves.
The protoplast
of the new IFV was the light tank – Object 685 designed in Kurganmasz by the
team of A. Blagonrawow from the 70s. It history is also full of reticence. IT
was probably the successor of PT-76 and was competing with Object 934 from
Wolograd. Both of them had the same main weapon – 100mm 2A48 cannon with
autoloader, fire control system, probably the same 2W-06, 295kW engine. As none
of them entered serial production, one could suppose that the Soviet Ministry
of Defense lost interest in them or changed the requirement that none of the
“Objects” could not fulfill. Probably the new requirement was the 125mm cannon,
which could not fit in the turrets of these vehicles.
The traction system, chassis and engine of the Object
685 seem so promising and well designed that it was used for the new IFV. The
chosen light tank construction was not optimal for IFVs. The engine was at the
rear and the fuel tank in the front, the torsion bar suspension system did not
guarantee a comfortable ride. One can presume that the team under the
supervision of Blagonrawow (later A. Nikonow) could easily move the engine to
the front and the counterbalancing fuel tank to the rear, but this was not
done. A new, extraordinarily flat, UTD-29 engine without turbo charge was
installed instead. The V shaped engine had a maximum power of 330kW, the angle between
cylinders was 144°, and therefore it is close to boxer configuration. It was
equipped with a hydro-mechanical, 4 gear planetary, transmission and a
hydro-kinetical turning mechanism (GOMP). The engine intake was placed on the
rear, right part of the chassis, and the exhaust on the lower, right, under the
intake (the exhaust is probably mixed with cold air to lower thermal signals).
While afloat, the air intake closes automatically (this also happen when the
sensors register a nuclear explosion), and a 400mm high chimney above the
intake is used instead. The fuel volume is 690 dm³ and it was most likely
the first soviet armed vehicle, which did not have external fuel tanks. Despite
of that, its range is around 600km.
The hull was raised slightly, without changing its
shape. It is made from hardened aluminum alloy, which is comparably light and
assures immunity against small-caliber gun fire. Supposedly the front,
additionally protected by the steel breakwater and ploughshare for
self-trenching, could not be penetrated even by 30mm rounds, and the general
protection was 1.7 times greater than BMP-1s steel armor. Thanks to the light
armor BMP-3 only weights 17 tons. It is interesting that Object 685 allegedly
had steel hull and titanium turret, but it could be inaccurate, as in the case
of steel hull, nothing justify the usage of titanium for turret (in the case of
aluminum alloy hull it would be reasonable). The caterpillar 380mm wide allows
BMP-3 to achieve a lower track pressure than BMP-1. For the first time soviet
IFV were driven by propellers while afloat (the remnants of the floating
tank?), which not only allowed the vehicle to reach a higher speed (comparing
with driven by tracks), but also better a mobility on water.
The transport section connected with the drivers and
is located in the center of the chassis.
This solution is used in wheeled transporters BTR-60/70/80/90 but is far
from optimum for loading/unloading troops. On the sides of the vehicle 4
shooting holes with periscopes, additional shooting holes is installed on the
right rear door, however it can be only used in the lying position. To ensure
safety during enter/exiting the vehicle, a corridor with 2 rear doors was made
above the engine compartment. On top of the corridor 2 large, rectangular
hatches were installed, which open toward the side and partly shield the
soldiers. In the large hatches, 2 smaller, oval openings were made, which allow
the soldier to f. ex. fire from grade launchers or anti-air missiles. The
armaments of the vehicle were installed in a flat, crewless turret. It was to
be formed of 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon, 7.62mm machine gun and 2 9M133 Kornet
launchers (at that time Kornet only existed on paper, but their size was well
defined). In the front part of the vehicle, 2 PKT machine guns were installed.
These were operated by the transported soldiers and could move from -5 to +15°
in vertical and 35° horizontally. The aiming point was defined by a light fiber
system, the commander could designate targets to the shooters by a light
designator, and locked in the neutral position, they can be fired by the
driver. Such configured vehicle named Object 688, was prepared for test in
1981. Vehicles with factory numbers 602 and 603 were tested first; in 1982 2
more vehicles 601 and 604 equipped with new turrets designed by KBP from
The new turrets were armed with uncommonly heavy
weapons. It composes of 2A70 100mm thin-walled, threaded cannon which weights
only 330kg and a collinearly mounted 2A72 30mm automatic cannon, which can be
raised up to 60°. Both weapons were designed specially for BMP-3 and other
usages were not initially planned (f. ex. the barrel of 2A72 was too frail to
be fired accurately without supported by the barrel of 2A70). The ammunition
storage is 40 rounds for 2A70 (from which 22 are in the carousel
autoloader, ensuring a fire rate of 10 rounds per minute), 500 for 2A72 and
6000 for 7.62 machine guns. The main gun can fire ZUOF-17 HE-FRAG projectiles
and 9M117 anti-tank missile in the form of ZUBK-10-3 integrated projectile (8
pcs, manually loaded). To ease the guiding of the 9M117, a 1D16-2 laser
rangefinder (later 1D-16-3) is installed above the barrel, like T-55AM2-B and
T-62MB.
In the slightly tilted forward turret (its floor is
parallel to the bottom of the chassis) a modern 2K23 fire control system is
installed. It composes of 1W539 ballistic computer, 1K12-2 gun sight (later
1K13-2) with OU-5 and PPB-2 (anti-air) infrared reflector on the right side of the
gun and 1PZ-10 anti-air gun sight. The first test vehicles were equipped with
unstabilized TKN-3 Kristal commander observation apparatus and OU-3 reflector.
The second had a newer, stabilized TKN-4S Agat-S (on serial production vehicles
the cheaper passive-active type of TKN-3s were installed. “601” receive a
weapon stabilizer form Czelabinsk, “604” had a simpler, modified 2E52
stabilizer from BMP-2, developed in Kowrow. The commander (on the right side)
could independently fire the main weapon (probably without the antitank
missiles). Steel panels were installed on the turret and 6 3D6 81mm Tucza smoke
grenades were placed on the panels. The size of the vehicle changed minimally:
6715x3140x2300 mm, only the length including the gun barrel increased to 7200mm.
As the new turret was unquestionably better than the
original turret of Object 688, the tests were cancelled and the next vehicles
“605” and “606” were equipped with the new turret. Their weight increased to
18.7 t. (track pressure 6.1N/cm˛) but still was much lower than equivalent
western IFVs (Bradley 30.3t, Marder1A3 29.2-33.5t). 27 trial vehicles were
built, which were involved in factory tests and later since 1985 in state test
(4 vehicles). Meanwhile 611 and 612 were tested in the
The results did not give a single conclusion. On one
hand, BMP-3 had high weapon capabilities – it gained 70% direct hits to surface
targets of size 60x30cm, 3.5km away. On the other hand, it was troubled by
extremely high malfunction rates. Nevertheless, the number of breakdowns
decreased systematically: in 1986, for every 1000km there were 171 failures, in
1988 - 4.6, in 1990 - 2.46, in 1992 - less than 1. Initially, the electric
system, engine air filter and cooling system failed, and the technical service
took 3 times more time than BMP-2. The untypical engine location caused its
replacement to last for 20h in combat conditions, and the GOMP, which required
frequent regulation, could only be reached after removing the engine. The
energy consumption was so large that two 12ST85R batteries could barely supply.
However such situation was common for new vehicles, but the attitude of the
Army was very critical. The non-optimal troop placement, which is configured
like conventional tanks, was also mentioned. The driver is in the front center
of the chassis, commander and gunner in the turret. One infantry seat on each
side of the driver, three along the rear compartment wall, two on the sides
(also in the rear). As the possibility of moving from the front to the rear
exists only on paper, the shooters could leave the vehicle only through their
top hatches. The field repair works also caused various problems: evacuation
vehicles based on BMP-1 (BREM-Cz) can not haul BMP-3, and there was not a
shortage of qualified welders and welding equipment operating under neutral gas
conditions for repairing the armor. Following parties of vehicles were sent to
experimental units and gradually to preselected front units. The first regiment
equipped entirely with BMP-3 belonged to the Siberian Military District, which
received their vehicles between 1988 and 1992. Later the disintegration of
However, BMP-3s were not used in any Chechen
campaigns. This is justified as it was designed for the “great war” – a high
intensity conflict, where both sides employ a large number of newest weapons
and the smallest technical advantage could decide the outcome.
It would be over for BMP-3 if not its unpredicted
export success. In 1989, United Arab Emirate tested BMP-2 with a positive
result, and UAE planned to acquire a large quantity of it. However, at the end
of the test, the information of the new vehicle was released and the rich
customers wished its presentation. The new vehicle made excellent impression on
the Arabs and both UAE and
Thanks to the export, Kurganmaszzawod began a series
of modernization. First, the UAE vehicles were equipped with an upgraded
BieLOMO (SOZ) gun sight and a laser rangefinder. The KDT-2 block above the
barrel is no longer needed. The SOZ is equipped with an effective cooling
system which enables firing 10 antitank missiles without turning it off. Later
a very interesting offer was proposed – the installation of Arena active
defense system. As the usage of ERA on light armor is dangerous, the active
system is safe and increases the protection against cumulative projectiles and
antitank missiles by a factor of 2. Such solution has one significant drawback
– it is expensive (Arena could cost 1/3 of the IFV). The modified vehicle,
public presented in 1999, weight 20.2t, has a digital ballistic computer,
improved observation and aiming equipments (Bukiet), a French, stabilized
thermosight Iris, BZS-1 daytime gun sight, rotateable TKN-A1 commander
observation apparatus. An electronic self-diagnosing system with voice
informing equipment
In co-operation with Nil Stali a variant of BMP-3
equipped with passive-reactive armor in special containers was designed named
BMP-3W, it can not float, but the modernization is much cheaper than the
installation of Arena. The usage of multi-layer armor segments and special
coating guarantee the preservation of the main armor’s proper shape after the
explosion of ERA and protection against cumulative charges like 500mm steel
armor. The mass of the additional armor (consisting 84 reactive elements of
four types and passive shields) is 4150kg. This illustrates the complexity of
the solution, as similar armor for T-55 weights only 1320kg. Another set of ERA
for BMP-3 was offered in 2000 by GIAT in co-operation with SNPE.
The next version of the vehicle, designed in
co-operation with KBP, has a new turret, hosting Bachcza-U complex – the same
weapon, but with a newer ballistic computer and thermosight. The commander has
a panoramic observation equipment with laser rangefinder. The turret has a
heavier armor and it can fire the newest antitank 9M117M1 Arkan (with a tandem
warhead capable of penetrating 750mm steel and a range of 5.5km) and projectile
ZUOF-19 (with increased efficacy and range of 7km) through its main gun. It is
important that the antitank missiles are loaded by autoloader. The new version
could also receive Arena self-defense system.
A series of derivative vehicles were build basing on
BMP-3 chassis. The first and probably in production for export (to UAE and
Comparably small changes were made to BMP-3K –
tactical command vehicle, the ammunition for the main gun is reduced to 22
rounds in the autoloader and 3 antitank missiles, but with enriched
communication equipments, TNA-4-6 navigational complex and AB 1-P30 additional
power source. The battalion commander and his two deputies were to be carried.
The second, slightly modified vehicle is BMP-3F, thanks to additional chassis
and suspension sealing, with 18.3% float reserve, the vehicle could stay on
water for 7 hours and fire accurately at sea state (?)[2] of
3. The BMP-3F do not have the steel ploughshare to reduce weight and move the
center of gravity. A driver training vehicle was also constructed, it is 2.3
tons lighter and instead of the turret it has a glass cabin.
Hoping to make the BMP-3 a base armored vehicle of
next generation, a modified chassis – Object 699 was designed, which weights 12
tons and could carry 6 tons. The Kornet and Krizantiema launchers, 2S31 Wena
self-propelled cannon and Finish Amos twin barrel mortar are presently
installed on the new chassis. The German Wildcat anti-air system turret (with 2
Mauser 30mm cannon and 4 missiles f. ex. Igla) is also offered. The newest
configuration is the turret which is similar to the Pancyr anti-air system. Its
model was revealed at the beginning of 2001.
It is hard to give a single judgment of BMP-3. No
doubt that it is the newest and most heavily armed IFV in the world. But its
armor is relatively light, and the choice of aluminum for main armor is
questionable. The decision of placing the engine at the rear also causes
skepticism. The main armament has a comparatively large mass, and in the
situation where BMP-3 will co-operate with tanks, its firepower could turn out
to be inadequate heavy. The usage of BMP-3 as the base vehicle for other
purposes is less rational than f. ex. MT-S. During first years of BMP-3
exploitation by Arabs, the ineffective air filtering system was revealed. As
the result, the engines were quickly worn out. The cooling system also was
considered to be inefficient. The drawbacks which are vital for operating on
deserts, were eliminated in following vehicles by installing additional
ventilators. The cases of caterpillar splinter were caused by the inappropriate
materials used – they were made in other chemical composition. The falling of
caterpillars from propelling wheels during fast ride on sand was also a
problem. It was solved by adding extra rings on the directing wheels. The
stabilizing system and autoloader also required upgrade. It is strange that the
only weaknesses which western experts focus on is the incapability to operate
effectively at night (which now is eliminated) and the lack of APU (offered by
Ukrainians, but probably with a new engine). BMP-3 certainly is an attractive
alternative for rich countries which want to possess a modern army. However
nothing indicates that it will be as popular as BMP-1 or 2.
For good images please visit www.army-technology.com/project
The
original article in Polish
