As far as Infantry Fighting Vehicles go, the BMP-3 has to be the gnarlyist of them all. It was first seen in a Russian parade in 1990 and has been exported to a number of nations since then, but due to it being a superior design over its predecessor the BMP-2, there are lesser number of other nations using it compared to its predecessor.
It’s the firepower of this vehicle that has to make it such a legend that even British serviceman would call it their favourite IFV.
The principle main gun is the rifled 100mm 2A70. Not only does it fire HE-Frag rounds, but it can fire the laser guided 9M117 Anti-Tank Guided Missile. The vehicle can store 40 HE rounds and 6 ATGM’s.
Attached to the 100mm is a 2A72 30mm auto cannon. It has a rate of fire of 350 to 400 rnds/per minute and 500 founds are carried.
On top of this is the scary number of 7.62mm MG’s the vehicle carries:
The first is the standard coaxial MG
Second is mounted on the left at the front of the hull
Third is mounted on the right at the front of the hull
A total of 6000 rounds of 7.62mm are carried on the vehicle!
The Commander and Gunner are located in the turret, the driver is central in the front of the hull. On either side of the hull is a trooper who can operate their respective above mentioned 7.62mm MG. The remaining 5 troopers (this meaning a total of 7 troopers are carried) sit in the rear and sides of the turret. The crew have night vision equipment.
To overcome the biggest complaint about the BMP-½, that is the fuel tanks were in rear doors and very easily cooked off, the engine was moved to the rear of the vehicle and the fuel tanks were repositioned in to the underneath of the floor of the vehicle. This has created a smaller rear troop compartment, so the rear 2 doors have steps which fold out for the troops to exit the vehicle. They also have roof hatches.
The engine is the UTD-29M diesel, which generates 500hp. This provides for a top road speed of 70km/h and an operational range of 600km/h. It has a fully amphibious capability and is propelled in the water by two rear water jets.
Variants:
BMMP - Russian Marines fighting vehicle has same turret as BMP-2
BMP-3F - Marine version.
BMP-3 plus ERA - Export model.
BMP-3 Reconnaissance - Called BRM or Rys (Lynx).
BMP-3 Driving Training Vehicle - Crew training vehicle with larger turret for instructors
BMP-3 recovery vehicle
BMP-3K - Command Vehicle
2S31 - 120mm artillery system (prototype)
The BMP-3M upgrade - 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.
Public Condemnation by Russian General
In 2010 Russian Gen. Popowkin made a public statement where he criticized the BMP-3 stating that the troops used to ride on the top of the vehicle as the inside was seen as a coffin and that a replacement for the BMP-3 should be developed.
Operators:
Russia - 550
Venezuela - 135 on order
Kuwait - 120
United Arab Emirates - 598 with "Namut" thermal sight and other modifications. Might be further upgraded with modular armor "Kaktus" and UTD-32 engine.
South Korea - 70
Greece - In the beginning of 2008, the Greek ministry of national defense submitted a formal request for the purchase of 450 Russian BMP-3 over a period of 15 years for 1.2 billion Euros. However Greek officials questioned the order of a vehicle that the country of origin publicly condemned and saw the order being suspended/cancelled in 2010. In the early part of 2011, the Greek Newspaper To Vima stated that the Russian Ministry of Defence sent a letter to the Greek Ministry of Defense Evangelos Venizelos, that they had accepted that there is now no possibility of implementing the sale of BMP-3’s to Greece.
Azerbaijan - 4 (total of 60 on order)
Cyprus - 43
Indonesia - 17 BMP-3F will arrive in 2010, with option for up to 100 vehicles
Sri Lanka - 45
Ukraine - 4