Rostec has completed the distribution of the first batch of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles to the Russian Armed Forces this year.
The milestone followed a detailed demonstration and technical assessment of the fleet, confirming the vehicles’ operability for warfighters.
The shipment of the platforms was facilitated in partnership with Rostec’s subsidiary Kurganmashzavod.
The BMP-3 System
According to the state-run company, the delivered vehicles were produced in the BMP-3’s standard configuration.
Since its introduction, the combat vehicle has undergone several upgrades, particularly to its primary armament, and has been modified into more than 20 variants.
The first recorded Russian BMP-3 order dates back to 2015, which stipulated “hundreds” of the vehicles to serve as a stand-in fleet while the defense ministry developed a more advanced infantry fighting system.
Deliveries of the platform began in 2018 and continued through 2023.
Currently, the system is commonly deployed in “spetsoperatsiya” (SVO or special military operations), which is the official term for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Specifications
Rostec’s BMP-3 weighs 18,700 kilograms (41,226 pounds) and measures 7 meters (23 feet) in length.
It is fitted with an aluminum alloy sheet on all sides, including its turret, and is armed with a 100-millimeter gun launcher, a 30-millimeter autocannon, a grenade launcher, machine guns, and an optional remote weapon station with a 57-millimeter autocannon.
The vehicle is powered by a 500-horsepower diesel engine, offering an operational range of 600 kilometers (373 miles) and speeds exceeding 70 kilometers (43 miles) per hour.
