Combat vehicles / Infantry fighting vehicles / BMP-2
BMP-2
General Facts
- TYPE
Mechanized infantry combat vehicle - ORIGIN
USSR
- NICKNAMES
BWP-2 (Polish designation)
Sarath (Indian designation) - DESIGNED
1974 - 1980 - DESIGNER
KMZ - PRODUCTION
1980 - ? - PRODUCERS
Czechoslovakia
India
USSR - KMZ
- QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Very good firepower
Good mobility
Average armor
Introduction
The BMP-2 is a mechanized infantry fighting vehicle of Russian origin. It is a more combat capable version of the earlier BMP-1. The BMP-2 was developed after combat experience with the BMP-1 during conflicts in the Middle East.
Layout
The BMP-2 retains the overall layout of the BMP-1 as roughly the same chassis is used. The main improvements over the BMP-1 are the two man turret, which also houses the commander, and the improved armor package. Due to the larger turret the troop capacity is reduced from eight to seven.
Firepower
The main armament is the powerful 30mm 2A42 dual feed autocannon. It has a cyclic rate of fire of either 200 to 300 rounds per minute or 550 rounds per minute. The effective range is 1.5 km. A 7.62mm PKT machine gun is mounted as a coaxial weapon. Additionally there is a 9P135 missile launcher on the roof which is able to fire both AT-4 Spigot and AT-5 Spandrel anti-tank missiles.
Protection
The BMP-2 has a slightly improved armor package compared to the BMP-1. Over the frontal arc there is protection against 12.7mm rounds and the sides and rear at able to withstand 12.7mm rounds fired from longer ranges. Some BMP-2's have been fitted with add-on armor. An NBC system is standard and six smoke grenade launchers are fitted on the turret.
Mobility
The tracked chassis provides the BMP-1 with a good cross country performance. A 300hp diesel engine provides propulsion. The BMP-1 is fully amphibious by raising the trim vane and is propelled in the water by its tracks.
Users
The BMP-2 was mainly used by the Soviet army during the Cold War. Adoption in Eastern Europe varied. The BMP-2 is also widely exported to Soviet allies.
BMP-2
The original version of the BMP-2 is the most common. Over time small changes were made during production. The BMP-2K is the command variant.
- Specifications:
- BMP-2
Type | Mechanized infantry combat vehicle |
---|---|
Crew | 3 + 7 (commander, driver, gunner, 7 infantry) |
Length | 6.74 m |
Width | 3.15 m |
Height | 2.45 m |
Ground clearance | 0.42 m |
Weight | 14.3 t combat load |
Ground pressure | ? |
Wheelbase | Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, 3.60 m length, 0.30 m width, 2.55 m track |
Turn radius | ? |
Engine | UTD-20 V6 diesel, 300 hp at 2.600 rpm |
Power ratio | 21.0 hp/t |
---|---|
Transmission | Manual, 5 forward, 1 reverse |
Speed | 65 km/h on road, 45 km/h off road, 7 km/h in water |
Fuel | 462 L |
Range | 600 km |
Wall | 0.7 m |
Trench | 2.5 m |
Gradient | 60% gradient, 30% slope |
Fording | Amphibious |
Armor | Steel |
NBC equipment | Yes |
Night vision | Yes |
---|---|
Smoke | 2x3 81mm smoke grenade dischargers |
Remarks | - |
Armament | 30mm 2A42 autocannon 7.62mm PKT machine gun AT-5 anti-tank missile |
Weapon1 | 30mm 2A42 autocannon in turret 500 rounds -5 to + 75° elevation, powered 360° traverse, powered stabilized in both axis |
Weapon2 | 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun 2.000 rounds traverse and elevation as main armament |
Weapon3 | AT-5 missile launcher on turret roof 4 missiles, 1 ready to fire manual traverse and elevation non-stabilized |
Weapon4 | - |
Weapon5 | - |
Weapon6 | - |
BMP-2D
The BMP-2D is a special assault variant that was developed for use in Afghanistan. The D stands for desantnaya, Russian for assault. The main improvement is the additional turret armor, belly armor against mines, appliqué side armor and armored skirts. Due to the added weight the BMP-2D is no longer amphibious.
- Specifications:
- BMP-2D
Type | Mechanized infantry combat vehicle |
---|---|
Crew | 3 + 7 (commander, driver, gunner, 7 infantry) |
Length | 6.74 m |
Width | ? |
Height | 2.45 m |
Ground clearance | 0.42 m |
Weight | 15.4 t combat load |
Ground pressure | ? |
Wheelbase | Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, 3.60 m length, 0.30 m width, 2.55 m track |
Turn radius | ? |
Engine | UTD-20 V6 diesel, 300 hp at 2.600 rpm |
Power ratio | 19.5 hp/t |
---|---|
Transmission | Manual, 5 forward, 1 reverse |
Speed | 65 km/h on road, 45 km/h off road, 7 km/h in water |
Fuel | 462 L |
Range | 550 km |
Wall | 0.7 m |
Trench | 2.5 m |
Gradient | 60% gradient, 30% slope |
Fording | 1 m |
Armor | Steel and applique |
NBC equipment | Yes |
Night vision | Yes |
---|---|
Smoke | 2x3 81mm smoke grenade dischargers |
Remarks | - |
Armament | 30mm 2A42 autocannon 7.62mm PKT machine gun AT-5 anti-tank missile |
Weapon1 | 30mm 2A42 autocannon in turret 500 rounds -5 to + 75° elevation, powered 360° traverse, powered stabilized in both axis |
Weapon2 | 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun 2.000 rounds traverse and elevation as main armament |
Weapon3 | AT-5 missile launcher on turret roof 4 missiles, 1 ready to fire manual traverse and elevation non-stabilized |
Weapon4 | - |
Weapon5 | - |
Weapon6 | - |