Russian Ground Forces to receive upgraded BMPs and BMPTs in 2020

The Russian Ground Forces will receive BMP-2 and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) upgraded with the unmanned Epokha and Berezhok combat modules, respectively, as well as BMPT Terminator fire support vehicles later this year, the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) TV Zvezda reported on 5 January.

The Russian Ground Forces will receive BMPT Terminator fire support vehicles, such as the one pictured, at Army 2019 this year. (Jane’s/Mark Cazalet)

The RIA Novosti news agency reported in June 2019 that the Epokha combat module, which carries the 2A42 30 mm automatic cannon and four anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), was being trialed on a BMP-3. The system will replace the existing BMP-3 turret, which carries a low velocity 2A70 100 mm gun and 2A72 30 mm cannon.

The Russian MoD signed a 10-year contract with the Tula-based Instrument Design Bureau (KBP), a subsidiary of Rostec’s High-Precision Weapons holding, for the delivery of 540 upgraded BMP-2s and BMD-2 airborne IFVs in October 2017, according to Deputy Defence Minister Yuri Borisov. The vehicles, designated BMP-2M, are armed with the Berezhok combat module, with the first deliveries reported in 2019.

The Berezhok upgrade will equip the vehicle with four ready-to-fire Kornet-E ATGMs, as well as a 2A42 30 mm grenade launcher. This represents an upgrade from the 2A42 and rail-launched 9M113 Konkurs of the original BMP-2, the latter of which requires the operator to leave the protection of the vehicle for firing.

The BMPT-2s were ordered and delivered in 2018, UralVagonZavod sources revealed to Jane’s at the time. The TV Zvezda report indicated that additional vehicles have been ordered although the precise nature of the vehicle’s role within the Russian Ground Forces remains unclear.