|
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.
|