|
Entered service |
1987 |
|
Crew |
3 men |
|
Personnel |
7 men |
|
Dimensions and weight |
|
Weight |
18.7 t |
|
Length |
? |
|
Hull length |
7.2
m |
|
Width |
3.23
m |
|
Height |
2.45 m |
|
Armament |
|
Main gun |
1 x 100-mm, 1 x 30-mm |
|
ATGW |
6 x AT guided missiles |
|
Machine guns |
3 x 7.62-mm (6 000 rounds) |
|
Elevation range |
- 5 to + 60 degrees |
|
Traverse range |
360 degrees |
|
Mobility |
|
Engine |
UTD-29 V10 diesel |
|
Engine power |
500 hp |
|
Maximum road speed |
70 km/h |
|
Amphibious speed on water |
10 km/h |
|
Range |
600 km |
|
Maneuverability |
|
Gradient |
60% |
|
Side slope |
? |
|
Vertical step |
0.8 m |
|
Trench |
2.5 m |
|
Fording |
Amphibious |
|
The BMP-3
infantry fighting vehicle was accepted to service with the Soviet
Army in 1987. A pre-production batch of 12 vehicles was delivered
the same year. It was obvious, that design of this IFV had little in
common with previous
BMP-1 and
BMP-2. A number of drawbacks related to
previous IFVs were fixed. Currently the BMP-3 is in service with
Russia, Cyprus, Greece, Kuwait, South Korea, Ukraine and the United
Arab Emirates.
Appearance
of the BMP-3 resembles a light tank. Vehicle is armed with a 100-mm
gun, capable of firing 9M117 Bastion laser-guided anti-armor
missiles, as well as ordinary HE-FRAG projectiles. The 9M117
missiles have a maximum range of 4 km, providing this IFV a
considerable anti-armor capability. Vehicle is completed with an
semi-automatic loader and has a maximum rate of 10 rounds per
minute.
The BMP-3 is
also armed with coaxial 30-mm cannon and 7.62-mm machine gun. The
30-mm cannon fires at a rate of 330 rpm and has a maximum range of 2
km against ground targets and 4 km against low flying helicopters.
Vehicle is also fitted with two more bow-mounted, forward firing
7.62-mm MG.
The BMP-3
IFV is fitted with smoke grenade dischargers. It can also generate
smoke screens by injecting fuel into exhaust.
This
infantry fighting vehicle has a crew of three and can carry 7
troops. Two infantrymen are located on each side of the driver and
operate bow-mounted machine guns. Rest of the troops are seated to
the rear on two inward-facing bench seats, over the engine pack. It
is worth mentioning, that the troop compartment is
cramped. Infantrymen enter and leave the vehicle via rear doors and
roof hatches.
The BMP-3 is
powered by the UTD-29 diesel engine, developing 500 hp. This IFV has
a hydropneumatic suspension, which can be adjusted to suit the type
of ground being crossed. Vehicle is fully amphibious. Propulsion on
water is provided by two waterjets.
Variants
BMP-3K
command vehicle;
BMP-3F
marine version of the infantry fighting vehicle;
BMP-3M
improved export variant;
BRM-3 Rys (Lynx) armored
reconnaissance vehicle with the 100-mm gun removed;
BREM-L
Beglyanka armored recovery vehicle;
2S31 Vena (Vein)
120-mm mortar system.
|
Video of the BMP-3 infantry fighting
video |
|
|
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