Home > Armored Vehicles > BMP-2

BMP-2

Infantry fighting vehicle

BMP-2

The BMP-2 is agile, reliable and serviceable vehicle, with adequate engine power

 
 
Country of origin Soviet Union
Entered service 1980
Crew 3 men
Personnel 7 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 13.8 - 14 t
Length 6.73 m
Width 3.15 m
Height 2.45 m
Armament
Main gun 1 x 30 mm cannon
ATGW 1 x Konkurs launcher
Machine guns 1 x 7.62 mm
Ammunition load
Main gun 500 rounds
ATGW 4 missiles
Machine guns 2 000 x 7.62 mm
Mobility
Engine UTD-20S1 diesel
Engine power 300 hp
Maximum road speed 65 km/h
Amphibious speed on water 7 km/h
Range 600 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 30%
Vertical step 0.7 m
Trench 2.5 m
Fording Amphibious

 

   The BMP-2 IFV first appeared in the late 1970s and many be regarded as a product improved BMP-1. Its development commenced in the early 1970s. First prototype was completed in 1974. Many of the drawbacks of the BMP-1 were eliminated. It was accepted to service with the Soviet Army in 1980. It was first publicly revealed in 1982. The BMP-2 has been produced in large numbers, the Soviet Army alone is estimated to have received some 20 000 vehicles.

   The BMP-2 was license-produced in Czechoslovakia (BVP-2) and India (Sarath). Essentially similar vehicles have been produced in Bulgaria (BMP-30). This IFV was one of the Eastern Block's most important combat vehicles numerically. It was also exported to the Soviet allies. Currently major operators of the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle are Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Belarus, Czech Republic, Finland, India, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Slovakia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Yemen.

   The BMP-2 carries over the same general lines as the BMP-1 and is thus a low, agile, reliable and serviceable vehicle with adequate engine power for most all-terrain missions, especially with late production vehicles which have several improvements over earlier models such as improved fire control extra armor in places and layout alterations.

   The BMP-2 was fitted with a new two-man turret. The most obvious improvement being the replacement of the BMP-1's non-stabilized 73 mm low velocity gun by a more versatile and effective fully-stabilized dual-fed 30 mm cannon. The previous gun had a maximum effective range of only 800-1 000 m. Also it could not be used against air targets. This cannon fires HE-FRAG, HEI-T and armor-piercing tracer (APDS-T) ammunition. It can engage armored targets at a range of 1 500-2 000 m, ground targets at a range of 4 000 m and helicopters at a range of up to 2 500 m. The APDS-T round penetrates 18 to 55 mm of steel armor, depending on the range. So even though it looses in terms of armor penetration to the 73 mm gun of the BMP-1, that could penetrate 335-400 mm of steel armor, the new 30 mm cannon proved to be a more versatile and successful weapon. Later it was used on a number of Soviet/Russian armored vehicles, as well as attack helicopters.

  There is a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. Some BMP-2 IFVs are additionally fitted with a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.

   A Fagot (Western reporting name AT-4 Spigot) or Konkurs (AT-5 Spandrel) ATGW launcher may be mounted over the turret. These missiles have a maximum range of up to 2 000-2 500 m and 4 000 m respectively. Also a portable anti-tank missile launcher for these missiles is often carried inside the vehicle.

   Welded steel armor of the BMP-2 provides all-round protection against 12.7 mm rounds. As far as this is an older vehicle, there is no protection against landmines. Though vehicle might survive small roadside explosion. The BMP-2 is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.

   A rather cramped interior remained but the number of troops carried was reduced to seven. Vehicle commander was relocated from a position behind the driver to the turret. Normally commander dismounts with the troops. Each soldier has its own firing port and associated vision block.

   This infantry fighting vehicle is powered by a UTD-20S1 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 300 hp. It is an improved version of the BMP-1 engine. Transmission and running gear is almost identical to that of its predecessor. Vehicle uses a manual transmission. Engine and transmission can be easily removed and replaced in field conditions.

   Vehicle is fully amphibious. On water it is propelled by its tracks. The BMP-2 can cross inland waterways such as lakes and rivers. However amphibious capability is rarely exploited by the Russian military. Operational use revealed that there are all kinds of problems when these vehicles are trying to swim. The BMP-s tend to stuck in shallow water or when entering ashore. Also there were numerous cases when these vehicles would simply sink due to broken trim vane or open hatches. So even though the BMP-2 is amphibious, Russians tend not to use this capability.

   Mine ploughs may be fitted to most vehicles, though the BMP-2s are rarely seen in combat fitted with ones.

   There are a number of variants of the BMP-2. Czechoslovakia and India developed their own variants, including armored ambulance, armored engineering vehicle, bridging reconnaissance vehicle and many other.

   In 1987 production of the new BMP-3 began. It was a clean sheet design and has little in common with the BMP-2 and the previous BMP-1.

 

Variants

 

   BMP-2K command vehicle.

   BMP-2D version with improved armor protection. Vehicle is fitted with add-on steel armor on the hull and turret. It entered service in 1982 and was widely used during a Soviet war in Afghanistan. The vehicle is no longer amphibious due to increased weight.

   BMP-2M is a recent refurbished and upgraded version with a new Berezhok turret and increased armor protection. It retains 30 mm autocannon, but additionally has 4 anti-tank missile launchers, 30 mm automatic grenade launcher and thermal imaging sights. Hull is fitted with armored side skirts and cage armor. Vehicle is fitted with a more powerful UTD-23 diesel engine, developing 400 hp. Engine is mated to an automatic transmission. Suspension has been improved. Algeria ordered upgade kits from Russia to upgrade their BMP-2 IFVs to the new BMP-2M standard.

   BRM-2 armored reconnaissance vehicle.

   BMO-1 a dedicated armored transport vehicle for specialized flamethrower squads.

 
BMP-2

Expand image

BMP-2

Expand image

BMP-2

Expand image

BMP-2

Expand image

BMP-2

Expand image

BMP-2

Expand image

BMP-2

Expand image

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home  Home     Aircraft     Helicopters     Tanks     Armored Vehicles     Artillery     Trucks     Engineering Vehicles     Missiles     Naval Forces     Firearms     THABET     |     Contact Us
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© ARG 2006 - 2023
www.MilitaryToday.com