BMP-3 Program
The Russian Army will not purchase any more BMP-3 units as of 2010. Deputy Defense Minister for Armaments, Army General Vladimir Popovkin (later - Head of Russian Space Agency), spoke of the vehicle very negatively. "We really need to take care of our soldiers. Today they sit atop BMP because inside it's like a "coffin" Nobody wants to be inside. We should develop another vehicle." These words broke a contract for the supply of the BMP-3 to Greece for $1.5 billion.
In 1977, the Special Design Bureau (SDB) of Kurganmashzavod began developing the BMP-3, based on structural elements of the tank “Object 685” and infantry fighting vehicles BMP “Object 688”. The development of the future BMP-3 or "object 688M" began in 1977, tests were conducted in 1983-1986 and in 1987 it was accepted into service with the Soviet Army. It was first shown to the world in May 1990. The BMP-3 entered service in 1987 and is still being produced at the Kurgan Machine-Building Plant. The BMP-3 had a successful export fate, with more than 1,000 units sold worldwide. In 1997, China acquired a license to produce the BMP-3.
The possibilities of upgrading the BMP-2 chassis were exhausted, its armament complex did not meet modern requirements and did not solve the new main fire tasks set for the IFV. According to the generalized complex indicator of the technical level, taking into account the indicators of firepower, protection, mobility and operational and technical capabilities, the domestic BMP-2 was inferior to the US IFV. In this regard, based on the analysis of the trends in the development and combat use of foreign and domestic IFVs, military academies and research institutes of the Ministry of Defense, together with research institutes and design bureaus of the industry, clarified the purpose of the IFV, typical targets, optimal ranges for their destruction, defined and operationally and tactically substantiated the main tasks of the IFV and its armament.
The quantitative values of the tactical and technical characteristics that determine the mobility, firepower, protection, ergonomic properties, service life and reliability, as well as the technical and economic indicators of the IFV, had been significantly increased. Thus, in terms of the number and contradictory nature of the requirements presented, the BMP of the 90s was one of the most complex vehicles. Therefore, a new concept was needed to create such an BMP. Its development and implementation represented a complex scientific and technical task, for the solution of which significant forces of the design and technology bureaus of the plant, as well as research institutes of the industry were involved.
On the BMP prototype created in Kurgan in 1981, which had the factory designation " Object 688 " (Ukrainian: Object 688 ), a turret with the same armament as the BMP-2 was installed: with an automatic 30-mm cannon, automatic 30-mm grenade launcher, 7.62-mm machine gun and self-propelled anti-tank missile launcher. The only difference was that all weapons were mounted on a removable carriage. A simplified fire control system was used. The undercarriage used elements of the light floating tank Object 685 (Ukrainian: Object 685 ), developed by the same KB in 1975. The new BMP fully met the requirements of the military, but the Minister of Defense Industry S.A. During the review of the BMP technical project, Zverev spoke categorically against "a new machine with old weapons." Designers had to work out several new weapons options before a suitable complex was created: a 100-mm cannon-launcher, an automatic 30-mm cannon and a 7.62-mm machine gun in a complex with an automated fire control system. The machine with a new armament complex installed in a two-person turret received the index "Object 688?" (Ukrainian: Object 688? ). It was adopted by the Soviet Army in May 1987 under the designation BMP-3. The requirements were fully included in the tactical and technical assignment for the development of the IFV of the 1990s. Subsequently, it was supplemented by the "Unified tactical and technical requirements for the chassis of military tracked vehicles of the light category by weight, unified by units and assemblies", as well as refined requirements for the armament of the IFV. In accordance with these requirements, the IFV must ensure both the ability to interact on the battlefield with main tanks, and the autonomous use of IFV units in conditions of the use of weapons of mass destruction. At the same time, it was assumed that they would be used not only in the Ground Forces, but also in the Airborne Forces and the Navy; the infantry fighting vehicle must be adapted for landing from aircraft, landing ships, for transportation by air, sea, road and rail transport.
The vehicle was actively purchased by the Russian Armed Forces, but only before Serdyukov arrived at the Ministry of Defense. In 2005, the purchase of BMP-3s had just begun, but in 2010 they were stopped. The already well-known Serdyukov "clown show" began, when a good example of weapons was being slandered. The Chief of Armaments of the RA, Army General Popovkin, said: "We really need to protect our soldiers. Today, everyone rides on top of the BMP, because no one wants to ride in this "coffin". We need to make a different vehicle."
This is a sign of a very serious illness of the state apparatus, when an entire army general fights against his country and the military-industrial complex. Evil tongues said that because of his words, Greece refused to purchase 420 BMP-3s worth $1.5 billion. Popovkin did not bear any responsibility for the failure of a one and a half billion contract and damage to the Russian economy. He also did not bear responsibility for the defamation of equipment. But he moved to lead Roscosmos. Also a sign of a serious illness of the state apparatus.
The order for the delivery of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles that the Russian Defense Ministry suspended three years earlier over inferior quality will be completed, a defense industry official said 24 September 2013. The vehicles, manufactured in 2010 at the Kurganmashzavod plant, “were criticized by the Defense Ministry” when they were first made, Oleg Bochkarev, deputy head of the governmental Military Industrial Commission, said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
The vehicle has since been modernized and given “a large number of various modifications,” he said, adding that the product is in high demand on foreign markets. “This equipment will function for a long time yet,” Bochkarev said. First Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Sukhorukov said last year that Kurganmashzavod had been fined 3 billion rubles ($90 million) over its failure to deliver BMP-3s on time and meet the required quality standards.
The Defense Ministry and Concern "Tractor plants" signed a contract for the supply of several hundred BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles , vice president and co-owner of the concern Albert Bakova told Tass. "We have signed a three-year contract with the Ministry of Defence on the BMP-3. The number in the hundreds of vehicles," - a spokesman said. According to him, in the course of serial production more than 1.5 thousand BMP-3 armored vehicles had been made.
It was also clarified that "Kurgan", included in the "Tractor Plants", would continue to carry out the order for the supply of military BMP-3 to complete the development work on the platform "Kurganets-25" and the serial production of armored infantry fighting vehicles of the new generation on its base.
Previously it became known that before the end of 2017 the Russian Defense Ministry was due to receive over 200 new BMP-3s.
The marines of the Pacific Fleet were the first to receive the new BMP-3F, and deliveries to the troops began in 2022. In each of the two brigades, one battalion will be re-equipped with new military equipment. The first BMP-3F was received the 40th separate marine brigade in Kamchatka. Acting commander of the 155th brigade located in Primorye, Captain 2nd Rank Igor Tatarchenko reported that the units of his unit would also receive BMP-3F. Russian experts noted that this will dramatically increase the firepower and mobility of "black berets" in the Far East.
“Today the marines are part of the rapid reaction force. Units can board a ship and go anywhere in the world. The presence of heavy weapons will allow them to independently perform any tasks, ”military historian Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia in January 2021. Previously, such a modification of machines was supplied only for export. She is in service with the Indonesian Marine Corps. The military of this country especially noted the high power of the combat vehicle's weapons, its low silhouette, which reduces the visibility, reliability and unpretentiousness in service.
In August 2022, at the Army-2022 forum, Rostec demonstrated a robotic version of the BMP-3 with the Sinitsa combat module, capable of operating without a crew. This model is equipped with an automated charging mechanism, a digital fire control system and electric drives, which allows it to be controlled remotely using a remote control.
On 23 January 2023, Rostec added a new BMP-3 with a remotely controlled combat module to its catalog. The vehicle is armed with a 100-mm gun, a launcher, a 30-mm automatic cannon, and a 7.62-mm machine gun. As noted by the state corporation, the BMP is also capable of operating on water, hitting enemy manpower, lightly armored targets, as well as infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, tanks, and other objects with enhanced protection, including low-speed air targets such as helicopters.
BMP-3s were used by the Russian armed forces during the First Chechen War . On January 2, 1995 , in Grozny , as a result of mortar shelling, an ammunition depot exploded, which almost completely destroyed a column of a motorized rifle battalion of the 74th separate motorized rifle brigade located nearby. Due to a shortage of tanks, BMP-3s were used instead in Rokhlin's group. In addition, these vehicles were used by the United Arab Emirates during the armed conflict in Yemen , presumably some of them were transferred to the South Yemeni forces. One loss of a BMP-3 was recorded: the vehicle belonging to the UAE was blown up by an anti-tank mine planted by the Houthis.
The High-Precision Systems holding company, part of Rostec, announced the transfer of the first batch of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles to the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2023. The vehicles were manufactured at the Kurganmashzavod and equipped with the main gunner-operator sight "Sodema", as well as additional means of protection - armored screens and grilles. During the year, Rostec also plans to transfer to the Ministry of Defense modernized multi-purpose airborne armored personnel carriers BTR-MDM Rakushka and armored repair and recovery vehicles BREM-L, said Bekkhan Ozdoyev, industrial director of the state corporation's weapons complex.
BMP-3s were also used during Russia's Special Military Operation in Ukraine. At the beginning of February 2023, Kurganmashzavod shipped the first batch of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in 2023. In April 2023, the army of the aggressor country received the second batch of BMP-3 as part of the state defense order for the first quarter. The company's released video shows the shipment of several dozen combat vehicles. The delivered equipment is equipped with the Sodem gunner-operator's main sight and additional protection sets - armored screens and gratings. The third batch of new BMP-3 was handed over to the army of the aggressor country at the beginning of May this year. Delivered machines are equipped with additional protection - these are hinged armored screens and grilles.
"Kurganmashzavod" worked in an enhanced mode six days a week for 12 hours, and in some areas a 24-hour schedule is established.
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