BMD-2

   The BMD-2 airborne combat vehicle is a further development of the previous BMD-1 ACV. The main objective was to improve armament comparing with it's predecessor. Development began in the early 1980s and in 1985 this vehicle entered service with the airborne units of the Soviet army.

   The most significant difference of the BMD-2 is a 30-mm cannon similar to the BMP-2 in place of rather inaccurate and 76-mm gun. The BMD-2 has a both-way armament stabilizers, so it can fire accurately while on the move. This vehicle also received newer anti-tank guided weapons, while there are a total of three 7.62-mm machine guns, two of them operated by the troops. Usually portable anti-aircraft missile launchers are also carried to fight against helicopters.

   The main difficulty for the designers was to fit a standard turret of the BMP-2 on a significantly smaller vehicle. That led to redevelopment, thus only gunner is located in the turret of the BMD-2. This new turret has an elevation range for up to +75°, as it's predecessor proved ineffective during the war in Afghanistan, as it could not lift it's barrel high enough to fire at enemies hiding high in the mountains.

   Hull of the BMD-2 will all the powerpack and chassis remained without any significant changes comparing with the BMD-1. There was an increase in weight however, but this airborne combat vehicle retains all the mobility features of it's predecessor, as well as amphibious capabilities.

   The BMD-2 can carry up to five fully equipped troops. Vehicle is airlifted by most medium military transport aircraft and can be paradropped using parachute platforms.

   The BMD-2K is a command vehicle variant based on the baseline ACV.