BT-3F bronetransporter
The BT-3F is a tracked amphibious assault armored vehicle developed on the basis of the BMP-3F infantry combat vehicle and is designed to increase the mobility and security of units of the marines and ground forces. Developed by the design office of the Kharkov Tractor Plant, the tracked armored personnel carrier MT-LB is already outdated and needs to be replaced. It will be replaced by the newest machine BT-3F, which is being developed under the cipher "Armor". The official designation of the experimental design work was “Creation of an armored personnel carrier on the basis of the infantry fighting vehicle BMP-3F”.
Sergey Abdulov, Chief Designer of the Special Design Bureau for Mechanical Engineering, announced the start of the running tests. SKBM is part of the structure of the state corporation "Rostec" Kurganmashzavod. Sea trials were scheduled for completion in the fall of 2019. According to reports, the development of the BT-3F armored personnel carrier began no later than 2010. About these works it became known in mid-2012, when a number of publications and blogs of the military-technical direction reviewed several annual reports of enterprises of the Russian defense industry. In 2010, as part of the work on the BT-3F project, according to the report of the SKBM, a decision was approved on the development of a new type of armored vehicles, as well as the terms of reference were drawn up and approved. After that, the design bureau specialists began preparing the necessary documentation, developing the required systems and units, conducting additional checks, etc.
BT-3F was first presented at the II International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2016". Detailed information on this combat vehicle, prepared by the Department of Strategic Communications of the Tractor Plants Concern, was published in the pages of the magazine Arsenal of the Fatherland. Sergey Abdulov, Chief Designer of the Special Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering, was interviewed by TASS on the margins of the International Military Technical Forum Army 2017. The Special Design Bureau for Mechanical Engineering [SKBM] is part of the structure of the state corporation "Rostec" Kurganmashzavod.
The main direction of application of the new machine is the replacement of MT-LB and MT-LBU. The BT-3F more advanced and more secure armored personnel carrier. Initially, the question of creating such a machine was raised by a foreign customer to replace the BTR-50 in service. Nevertheless, in Russia there were also potential customers for this machine For example, there are a number of enterprises that wanted to create various types of weapons on the basis of the BT-3F - in particular, communications and control technology, command and staff vehicles, and so on.
The old Soviet BTR-50 of various modifications remain in service with many countries. In some states, the military tried to modernize the legendary “float”, but the reserves laid down in the early 1950s have long been exhausted. Therefore, it is not surprising that in a number of countries the “fifties” are sent to retire. The same goes for the bulky American AAV-7 transporter. As a result of various improvements, its weight began to increase significantly compared to the original - 22.8 tons. The latest version of this monster weighs more than 29 tons, which, according to experts, significantly reduces the mobility of the armored vehicle.
In the People's Republic of China, ZBD-2000 "gliding" combat vehicles were created, but they are expensive, difficult to operate and highly specialized. The new Russian development is lighter and more compact than its foreign competitors, it weighs only 18,900 kg. It is easier to transport. The crew consists of 3 people, on board it can take 15 paratroopers, for whom comfortable conditions are created. The machine is equipped with air conditioning.
The 500 hp UTD-29 engine accelerates the BTR to 70 km / h. If necessary, it is possible to move back at a speed of up to 20 km / h. Speed on the water - 10 km / h. To ensure a good overview of the machine is equipped with video surveillance cameras. Currently, the BT-3F has received a remote-controlled combat module with a 12.7-mm machine gun "Kord". 250 shots to it are in the cartridge belt and 750 - in laying. Installation of a 7.62-mm or 14.5-mm machine gun or a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher is also possible. A thermal imaging channel has been introduced into the sighting system. All this makes it possible for the landing force to provide effective fire support. The successful operation of the armored personnel carrier is facilitated by its significant unification with the infantry fighting vehicle BMP-3. At its base also created a modification for the Marine Corps.
This floating tracked armored personnel carrier, according to many Russian military experts, is considered one of the best in its class. Its mass is 18 900 kg. In addition to the three crew members on board, 15 marines are comfortably accommodated. Engine capacity - 500 liters. with. The maximum speed is up to 70 km / h over land and 10 km / h when traveling by water. Power reserve - 600 km. As weapons it uses 12.7-mm machine gun "Kord", mounted in a remotely controlled combat module. On the roof can be installed virtually any remote-controlled combat module with a machine gun of 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm and 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.
The use of mass-produced components and assemblies in the design of an armored personnel carrier significantly increased its reliability, allowing testing a prototype in a reduced time and introducing the BT-3F into mass production in an unprecedentedly short time. The simplicity of the design of the armored personnel carrier will allow quickly mastering the work with the crew of almost any qualification.
According to reports, the development of the BT-3F armored personnel carrier began no later than 2010. About these works it became known in mid-2012, when a number of publications and blogs of the military-technical direction reviewed several annual reports of enterprises of the Russian defense industry. The report of the Special Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering (Kurgan) referred to the work on the BT-3F, carried out in the interests of the customer "360". Experts immediately suggested that under this digital cipher hidden Indonesian military department.
Information that the Marine Corps of the naval forces of Indonesia will become the first buyer of the BT-3F had been discussed for several years, including at the military-technical forums "Army". Representatives of SKBM and Kurganmashzavod traveled to the territory of Indonesia, where they represented this car. It is worth noting that Russia was not the only players in this market - there is a competitive struggle, as Indonesians consider the production machines of other states. But the armored personnel carrier has certain advantages over its competitors. This is due to the fact that the machines are subjected to more stringent factory testing.
The Ministry of Defense of Indonesia signed a contract with Rosoboronexport 23 April 2019 for the purchase of BMP-3F combat vehicles and BT-3F armored personnel carriers. During the signing of the agreement, the Indonesian military noted that it is linked to the implementation of the strategic plan for the development of local, regional and global marines' combat potential. At the same time, it was emphasized that the interest shown in cooperation with Russia is closely connected with the involvement of local industry in the procurement and supply process. Confidence was expressed in Russian products, in this case, in infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers.
The Marine Corps will receive an additional 22 units of BMP-3F for $ 108 million. Two batches of this product had already been delivered. At the same time, the acquisition of the BT-3F is carried out for the first time; a total of 21 units of this equipment with a total value of $ 67.2 million will be transferred.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
