BTR B-10 "Kurganets-25". First time at the exhibition
The first display of the armored personnel carrier "Kurganets-25" at the parade in 2015
The development of a promising unified tracked platform of the middle class "Kurganets-25" is nearing completion. This project provides for the creation of a number of models for various purposes, primarily an infantry fighting vehicle and an armored personnel carrier. The BMP B-19 and BTR B-10 have already been repeatedly demonstrated at public events. However, only now, as part of the Army-2022 forum, the new armored personnel carrier has been put on static display and is available for closer inspection.
Exhibitions and parades
A unified tracked platform (UGP) with the code "Kurganets-25" has been developed since the beginning of the last decade by the Kurganmashzavod enterprise with the participation of a number of other organizations. The design work was successfully completed by the beginning of 2015, which made it possible to start building experimental equipment of various models. In addition, it became possible to show the new armored vehicles to the public.
The official premiere of the promising armored personnel carrier "Object 693" (later the B-10 index appeared) and the unified infantry fighting vehicle "Object 695" (B-19) was scheduled for May 9, 2015. Two types of vehicles were supposed to pass through Red Square as part of the parade crew. At the same time, the new machines were involved in the preparatory activities, and therefore caught the eye of the public and the lenses of cameras back in April.
On the appointed day, May 9, several cars at the Kurganets-25 UGP appeared on Red Square as part of a mechanized parade column. Together with them, several other promising developments in the field of armored combat vehicles were demonstrated that day. All of them expectedly attracted a lot of attention from specialists and lovers of technology.
The next public display of the BTR B-10 took place exactly one year later. In 2016, the parade column again included unified medium infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers. At that time, it was reported that work on two projects and the UGP was successfully continuing. They were planned to be completed over the next few years, after which the equipment was going to be put into service.
Materials for the project "Kurganets-25" and finished machines of this family were demonstrated in the future. So, the BMP B-19 repeatedly participated in new parades and was present at exhibitions. At the same time, the unified armored personnel carrier went into the shadows for several years. Experienced / pre-production B-10s participated in public events only in the form of mock-ups. The reasons for this were not specified, which led to rumors and suspicions. However, industry and the military department spoke about the continuation of work.
armored exhibit
As part of the current military-technical forum "Army-2022", the Russian defense industry once again presented all its current developments in the field of armored vehicles. The open area demonstrates the entire range of current and future combat vehicles, incl. the most interesting samples - such as the new MBT T-14 "Armata".
This year, Kurganmashzavod and allied companies again brought armored vehicles to Kubinka at the Kurganets-25 UGP. Once again, the well-known BMP B-19 is shown to the public. In addition, for the first time at an event of this format, everyone is shown an armored personnel carrier of a new model. For the first time since the appearance of this project, everyone can come up to the B-10 and inspect it closely. Also, an armored personnel carrier can be compared with an infantry fighting vehicle on the same platform.
Training for the 2016 parade
A promising armored personnel carrier is shown in full configuration and with a set of all necessary tools. Thus, a combat module with machine-gun armament is installed on a unified chassis. Overhead booking modules are fixed on the sides of the car, which increase the level of protection and help the car float. Internal volumes are not open for inspection.
Platform based
The B-10 is a medium-weight tracked armored personnel carrier with a typical set of tasks for such equipment. It must transport fighters with weapons and protect them from various threats. Also, the armored personnel carrier must land troops and support them with heavy machine gun fire.
The basis of such an armored personnel carrier is a unified chassis. It is made on the basis of the original armored hull with the required level of protection. According to known data, the frontal projection of the vehicle can withstand small-caliber projectiles, while protection from large-caliber bullets is provided from other angles. In addition, overhead booking blocks and dynamic protection can be mounted on the hull. It is possible to install active protection, such as the promising Afghanit complex.
The chassis has a front-engine layout; the engine and transmission are completely housed in the nose. A 750 hp diesel engine is used. Torque is given to the front drive wheels. The undercarriage is built on the basis of a hydropneumatic controlled suspension.
Next to the engine compartment is a control compartment with a driver's seat. The remaining volumes are given for target equipment. So, on the B-10, the corps accommodates eight paratroopers with equipment and personal weapons. Access to the troop compartment is through the aft ramp.
In the armored personnel carrier version, the Kurganets-25 platform is equipped with a remotely controlled combat module; it is completely located outside the case. The module is armed only with the Kord heavy machine gun. There are optoelectronic means for guidance. The module is controlled from the operator's workplace. It is reported that the fire control system is highly automated. In particular, it provides for automatic tracking of targets and shelling with the permission of the operator.
Tracked armored personnel carrier B-10 has a length of approx. 7,2 m with a width of 3,2 m. Mounted armor increases the width to 4 m. The height with the combat module exceeds 3 m. The combat weight, as reflected in the name of the project, is at the level of 25 tons. patency. There is also the possibility of swimming.
Project Perspectives
The main part of the development of the promising UGP "Kurganets-25" and the first vehicles based on it was completed in the middle of the tenth years. The first prototypes and pre-production models were built, which then participated in tests and various public events. In 2017-18 new equipment entered the state tests, according to the results of which it was supposed to go into service.
Machine gun combat module close-up
Work on the platform, armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles continues to this day. According to recent reports, they are nearing their end. The Ministry of Defense and industry in the foreseeable future are going to launch a full-fledged mass production of such equipment and begin re-equipping combat units. At the same time, the exact timing of the adoption of the B-10 or B-19 has not yet been called. The pace and other features of the upcoming rearmament of the ground forces also remain unknown.
However, it is already clear how such rearmament will affect motorized rifle troops in the future. It is easy to see that the B-10 and B-19 vehicles have a number of advantages over existing motorized rifle equipment. In addition, the Kurganets-25 platform has a great potential for modernization, which is yet to be used in the future.
In terms of protection, the new B-10 surpasses the existing BTR-80/82 and even the BMP-1/2. In addition, the base body can be supplemented with various attachments and other means. The caterpillar chassis and powerful engine give higher mobility and cross-country ability on off-road and rough terrain. According to these characteristics, the B-10 bypasses the current wheeled vehicles.
In terms of the caliber of the main armament, the promising B-10 is inferior to the existing armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles. However, the UGP "Kurganets-25" allows the installation of various weapons systems. By replacing the existing combat module with the Kord machine gun, it will be possible to obtain an increase in firepower and reach the level of other equipment - if the customer requires it.
On Red Square, May 9, 2016
It should be noted that not only armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles will be made on the Kurganets-25 platform. It was reported about the possibility of the appearance of command and staff, sanitary, repair and evacuation and other vehicles. Maximum unification will seriously simplify and reduce the cost of mass production of all the necessary equipment. In addition, the cost of joint operation will be reduced.
The future is clearing up
The exact plans of the Ministry of Defense and the defense industry regarding the Kurganets-25 platform and specific models of equipment based on it remain unknown. Nevertheless, the general course of work gives grounds for restrained optimism. Full-scale deliveries of such equipment may begin in the coming years.
In the meantime, the public and specialists are invited to personally and closely examine one of the promising samples. It is possible that the current open demonstration of the B-10 armored personnel carrier is a kind of hint of future events. It should be expected that now he will regularly participate in exhibitions and parades, and will also begin his military service.
Information