BMP-2 - infantry fighting vehicle developed, released in the USSR in 1977. Today, the BMP-2 is in service with the army of Russia and other countries of the world. She successfully participated in many military conflicts in different parts of the world.
Where and when was the BPM-2 designed and manufactured? What is she armed with? Is a machine developed in the 70s of the 20th century capable of effectively conducting combat operations in modern combat? What changes and upgrades were proposed for the infantry fighting vehicle
How was created and developed
BPM-2 appeared due to the improvement of the BMP-1. During the war in Afghanistan, it became clear that the BMP-1 does not meet the requirements of modern combat. The Kurgan Engineering Plant, starting in 1974, began to work on improving the basic model. BMP was necessary to rearm, make it more protected, including from a nuclear strike. The Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant also worked on the modification, the model was called Object 675.
As a result, the car received a larger tower, more modern weapons were replaced and added. Option OJSC "Kurganmashzavod" adopted as a basis. BMP-2 began to weigh from 13.8 tons to 14 tons, which is a whole ton more than BMP-1.
At the parade in Moscow in 1982, the BMP-2 was presented to the public. It took place on the Red Square of the capital in November.
Armament BMP-2
The basic basis of weapons is considered a 30-mm gun. It is mounted in a tower that can rotate freely. In addition, there is a machine gun 7.62 mm PKT, which is combined with a gun. The BMP-2 tower is more spacious than the BMP-1, the commander and gunner are located here. In the upper part of the tower is placed the launcher 9P135M (9P135M-1).
The 30 mm rifled small-caliber automatic gun was designed by A. G. Shipunov, V. P. Gryazev. In addition, the machine is equipped with an RPG-7 grenade launcher, for which there are 5 PG-7V grenades. The paratroopers are also provided with weapons, consisting of 2 machine guns, 6 machine guns, 12 F-1 grenades. Ammunition included. There are two configuration options: 2 anti-aircraft systems 9K34, or one and RPG-7.
BMP-2 can destroy helicopters, tanks, enemy manpower, destroy various buildings.
Engine, chassis BMP-2
The BMP-2 chassis is similar to the BMP-1. The machine is capable of speeds of 65 km / h on asphalt, 40-45 km / h on a dirt road or other rough surface.
BMP-2 overcomes water barriers at a speed of not more than 7 km / h. When conducting military operations, this must be taken into account, especially if it is intended to overcome a water obstacle with a strong current. BMP-2 can overcome the rise of 35 °.
In BMP-2 there is a six-cylinder four-stroke engine UTD-20S1, running on diesel fuel.
Providing camouflage BMP-2
The machine is equipped with masking tools. These are 6 902V "Cloud" grenade launchers, which are equipped with special 81-mm smoke shells. With the help of such grenades masking is provided on an area of 200-300 square meters. On the first machines of the object 675 there were no grenade launchers to create a smoke screen.
In addition, the BMP-2 has a TDA apparatus, which can be used repeatedly. Using this thermal smoke protection, it is possible to provide a masking radius of 100-150 m. The device is started using the toggle switch located at the workplace of the driver-mechanic. TDA works on the principle of spraying diesel fuel. Therefore, the density of the BMP smoke screen will depend on how warm the engine is.
Booking BMP-2
The body of the machine is welded; special rolled sheets of armored steel are used for its manufacture. The body armor has a different thickness, which protects the car, makes it durable, tough. The body of the BMP of the first and second models are not much different. The main differences in the tower. The BMP-2 has a larger tower, which accommodates 2 people.
To date, the BMP-2 technical specifications are considered insufficient, especially in terms of protection, as in the arsenal of NATO countries there are guns that can penetrate the armor of this machine. Her armor does not withstand the direct hit of 12.7 mm machine gun shells.
Frontal armor BMP-2 19 mm thick. The death of the car and crew can result in hits of 122 mm shells. Flamethrower "Bumblebee" is able to burn out BMP-2. If there is an explosion on a mine, a landmine, then most of the crew will die.
BMP-2 crew
The infantry fighting vehicle is supposed to accommodate 10 people. Three crew members perform the main function: commander, driver, operator-gunner. The crew consists of seven paratrooper shooters who participate in the battle, firing their weapons directly on the move, using BMP-2 loopholes.
In the left front of the machine there is a place for the driver-mechanic. Behind is the workplace arrow.
It is worth noting the technical characteristics of the BMP-2, according to which, unlike the BMP-1, this machine has a more capacious tower. The fighting compartment with the commander and operator-gunner is located in the tower and turret space.
The troop compartment is located in the rear of the BMP-2. Here are places for 6 shooters. There are two doors for loading and unloading the crew of shooters. In the upper part of the hull there are 2 hatches that perform the following functions:
- for firing at air targets;
- to review the surroundings;
- for evacuation;
- to exit if necessary when moving on water.
The landing compartment is equipped with 2 battery batteries, a heating system, and a R-126 radio station.
BMP-2 crew protection against radiation
To protect people who are in the BMP-2, several methods are used. On the roof of the hull in the compartment for the landing, on the manhole covers installed on the inside of the lining.
All compartments in which the crew is located are provided with a sealed protection system. This saves from radioactive dust, bacterial agents, toxic substances. If necessary, purified air will be supplied here, for this a filter ventilation installation is provided. The machine is equipped with chemical and radiation intelligence devices. The protection system can start automatically or manually.
BMP-2 has fire extinguishing equipment designed for two uses. These are 2 cylinders with the composition Freon 114B2. There are 4 sensors in the machine. In addition, there is also a manual carbon dioxide fire extinguisher OU-2.
Modernization of the BMP-2 with the module "Bahcha-2"
During the period of serial production, the BMP-2 was modernized. Until now, the machine is in service with the Russian army, so improvements are needed.
In the 90s of the 20th century, the need arose to modernize the BMX-2 performance characteristics. It was required to increase the firepower needed to conduct an attack in modern combat. The Tula Design Bureau proposed to remove the standard turret from the BMP-2 and put the Bahcha-U module in its place.
“Bahma-U” has a barrel, missile weapons. All weapons elements are connected in a single unit. It includes a 10 mm 2A70 installation. In addition, a PKT machine gun was added. Bahcha-U has a 30-mm automatic cannon, which is equipped with 34 shells, 4 missiles of the 9K116 Kastet kit.
The upgraded tower is made full swing. Improved sights for commander and gunner. It has become easier to control the weapons system, an automated system is used.
As a result, the BMX-2 performance characteristics allow attacking objects from a distance of 4 km. The shelling zone increased to 5 km. Thanks to high-explosive fragmentation shells, it became possible to hit more enemy manpower and other objects.
Modernization has led to other changes. The new Bahcha-U tower has a weight of up to 3.98 tons. The car in this case becomes so heavy that it loses its buoyancy. In addition, the crew had to be reduced by 2 paratroopers.
The upgraded version of the BMP-2M took part in the exhibition of military equipment, but a large number of orders were not received. In the Russian army, the base model of the BMP-2 is used more.
Automatic grenade launcher for BMP-2
In the 80s of the 20th century, the need arose to increase the firepower of the BMP-2. It was necessary to increase the number of manpower hit by the enemy. For these purposes, it was proposed to install the AG-17 Flame launcher on the BMP-2. It is important that there was no need to redo the base model. Therefore, you can install a new grenade launcher on any BMP.
By the beginning of the 90s, modernized versions of the BMP-2 entered the army of our country. Kurgan Engineering Plant has released dozens of upgraded models. In the future, these machines were no longer produced.
BMP-2 with the modernized "Berezhok"
In the 90s, another option was proposed to modernize the infantry fighting vehicle. The developers proposed B05Y01 "Berezhok". This modernized version was called BMP-2M. After he was presented at the exhibition of military equipment, he began to be sold in different countries of the world.
The new BMP-2 tower resembled the base model. The machine is equipped with an automatic 2A42 gun, a PKTM machine gun, and an AG grenade launcher. Installed guided missiles complex "Cornet". In addition, the BMP-2M combat complex has been increased.
As a result, the BMP-2 is capable of destroying the target at a distance of 8-10 km. Improved guidance devices for the sights of the commander, gunner-operator.
It is important that BO5Y01 “Berezhok” weighs no more than 3.250 tons, that is, the tower did not significantly increase the weight of the original model. Thus, the BMP-2M is not inferior in the buoyancy and driving performance of the BMP-2.
Other upgrade options
In addition, several modifications of the base model are known. BMP-2K is considered a command vehicle equipped with additional modern means of communication. Available in small quantities.
For military operations in Afghanistan, the BMP-2D, better known as the "Afghan version," was more suitable. A modernized version was proposed by designers in 1981. The basic model had an additional reservation, which increased the weight and the car stopped floating.
The participation of BMP-2 in military conflicts
The infantry fighting vehicle regularly took part in military conflicts of the Middle East, Africa, in the territory of the former USSR.
During the war in Afghanistan, which took place in 1979-1989, the BMP-2 technical specifications were tested, which were tested in a real battle. So in 1982, the machines entered service with the Soviet troops in Afghanistan. The largest number of losses of an infantry fighting vehicle of this type dates back to this time.
BMP-2 took part in many military conflicts in the territory of the former USSR. These are wars in Abkhazia, Tajikistan, South Ossetia. In the period from 2014-2016. armed conflicts occurred in eastern Ukraine. Specifications BMP-2 made it possible to use the machine in different conditions and terrain. During the first and second Chechen wars, these machines were actively used. The loss of military equipment in these military clashes is very significant.
In Africa and the Middle East, BMP-2 were used by the armies of different countries. The machine participated in wars in the Persian Gulf, in Angola, in Syria, Yemen, in the Iraq war and other serious conflicts.
Thus, the BMP-2 was used in the 16 largest military clashes that occurred at the end of the 20th beginning of the 21st century.
BMP-2 in service with foreign countries
From the very beginning of the release of the BMP-2, many countries have shown interest in this type of weapon. Now the car is in service with 35 countries. The basic model was produced in Czechoslovakia, India, Finland.
BMP-2 is available in almost all countries of the former USSR, such as: Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Abkhazia, Ossetia.
Most BMP of various modifications is in service with the armies of Syria (about 2,450 units), India (980 units), Iran (400 units).
From 100 to 300 vehicles are in service with the armies of Algeria, Vietnam, Angola, Yemen, Czech Republic, Finland.
Less than 100 units are present in the armies of Sri Lanka, Uganda, Sudan, Kuwait, Jordan, Indonesia, Slovakia, Macedonia.
Experts believe that the BMP-2 is the best car among analogues. Advantages are called simplicity, reliability, unpretentiousness and high combat qualities.
Monuments BMP-2
On the territory of Russia in different cities there are several monuments. Kurganmashzavod OJSC has them in the cities of Belovo, Kurgan, Novosibirsk, Simferopol, in the Naro-Fominsk district of the Moscow region.
To date, about 3.5 thousand BMP-2s are operated in the Russian army. In addition, 1.5 thousand are in a mothballed condition. About 16 BMP-2M with new engines and towers should arrive in the near future in the army. In the article we see that despite its age, the BMP-2 does not stop losing popularity, and not only in Russia.