BMD-1

   Compared to the other Eastern Bloc infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers the BMD-1 ACV has been produced in relatively small numbers for the former Soviet Army Air Assault Divisions. It has been exported to Iraq and India.

   First seen in 1973, the BMD-1 is a very lightly armored vehicle with only a limited combat capacity but capable of supporting airborne troops during the early phases of airborne operations. For this role the main emphasis is on direct fire support, so the BMD-1 is fitted with the same gun as that used on the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle in an essentially similar turret. The 9K11 ATGW launching rail is also provided, but has been removed from later models.

   One feature of the BMD-1 is the variable height hydro-pneumatic suspension system to allow the vehicle to be para-dropped on platforms. The road wheels are also small while the tracks are only 230 mm wide. The hull is bulky to render the vehicle amphibious, but he hull space behind the turret is sufficient for only three personnel. Two more are seated each side of the driver while the turret houses only the gunner.

   The 73-mm gun has a coaxial 7.62-mm MG while two more 7.62-mm MGs are fixed for firing from the front hull, a 30-mm grenade launcher on a ground mounting is also carried as standard.

   On the BMD-2 the 73-mm gun is replaced by a 30-mm cannon, from 1990 onwards a new BMD-3 has appeared but is a new design overall. A lengthened turretless APC version of the BMD-1 (an extra road wheel is added each side) is known as the BTR-D - it can carry 12 troops plus the driver.

   The 2S9 Nona-S is a 120-mm breech-loaded mortar system, based on a modified BMD-1 chassis. It was developed for the Soviet air assault divisions. Vehicle has no provision to carry extra troops.

   Other BMD-1 variants include various artillery observation vehicles, an armored recovery vehicle and a mortar carrier.