Modernization of BMP-3 based on the experience of Special Operations
A batch of BMP-3s sent to the army at the end of 2023.
One of the main combat armored vehicles of the Russian army is the BMP-3. Infantry fighting vehicles of this type are in service with many units and formations, including those involved in the current Special Operation. By now, a great deal of experience has been gained in the operation and combat use of such equipment in real conflict conditions. This information is used for the further development and improvement of the entire BMP-3 fleet.
In the original configuration
The BMP-3 was adopted by our army in the late eighties. At the same time, serial production began, which continues to this day. The pace of serial production of armored vehicles has constantly changed, and in recent years has increased again. According to various sources, the Kurgan Machine-Building Plant can now build at least 1 of these BMPs per year.
The BMP-3 is a tracked armored vehicle with weapons in a rotating turret and a troop compartment inside the hull. With an overall length of 7,2 m, it has a combat weight of 18,7 tons (in basic configuration). The vehicle crew consists of 3 people, and 7 troops are transported in the corresponding places.
The hull and turret have spaced protection made of aluminum alloy ABT-102. The frontal projection protects against 30-mm shells, the remaining elements of the hull - from bullets and fragments. At various times, projects were proposed to equip the BMP-3 with suspended screens, solid and lattice, as well as dynamic and active protection.
Production of BMP-3 in Kurgan
The BMP-3 turret is equipped with a 100-mm 2A70 gun-launcher with the ability to launch missiles, 30-mm cannon 2A72 and 7,62-mm machine gun PKT. There are also two machine guns in the nose of the hull for firing into the front sector. The fire control system ensures firing at any time of day. With the help of cannons and missiles, the armored vehicle can hit targets at ranges of up to 6-6,5 km.
Initially, the BMP-3 was equipped with a 29 hp UTD-450 diesel engine. Thanks to the tracked drive, the vehicle can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h on the highway. It can move across rough terrain and overcome obstacles. There are two stern water jets for moving on water. They provide a speed of up to 10 km/h.
Protection issue
From the very beginning of the Special Operation, Russian BMP-3s and other armored vehicles faced all the threats that their protection was designed to withstand. Infantry fighting vehicles successfully protected their crews and troops from shelling from infantry weapons, some mines, etc.
However, new threats soon emerged that required a response. Thus, back in 2022, the enemy began to widely use light UAVs with ammunition drop devices. In addition, a number of modern anti-tank missile systems were supplied to it from abroad. In 2023, Drones- FPV-class kamikaze.
BMP-3 with a set of additional protective equipment
The first reaction to new threats appeared in the spring-summer of 2022. The equipment in the troops began to be equipped with additional protection modules of home-made design and assembly. In 2023-24, the defense industry took up this issue. Similar factory-made means appeared, the design of which took into account all requirements.
Currently, serial BMP-3s leave the assembly shop with a full set of additional protection equipment. In addition, such modules are mounted on equipment during factory repairs, and are also sent to units to re-equip their existing BMPs.
As part of factory or home-made modernization, the BMP-3 receives various screens for the hull. Armor plates and/or lattice screens are used. They are used to close the frontal and side projection of the hull. A "visor" or "grill" is mounted on the turret - a lattice or mesh dome on a frame.
The hull screens were initially used to protect against anti-tank weapons, and the "visors" were supposed to throw off falling ammunition. Now, both types of attachments provide protection mainly against FPV drones, which are capable of attacking the IFV from any angle.
As reported, the new BMP-3s are sent to the troops with the "Cape" kit. This is a set of covers made of a special multi-layer material that protects against surveillance in different ranges. The probability of detection of such a vehicle by the enemy is sharply reduced. Various electronic warfare systems designed to suppress the control channels of attacking UAVs have also become widespread.
Mobility characteristics
Additional means of protection increase the combat weight of the BMP-3 by several tons. This leads to a reduction in specific power and negatively affects the mobility characteristics. The domestic industry is currently working on this problem and has already presented its solution.
Enterprises from the Rostec state corporation have recently begun upgrading the BMP-3 power plant. An improved version of the UTD-32 diesel engine was developed, taking into account updated requirements for the main characteristics.
In early August 2025, Rostec announced the start of testing the new engine. In the foreseeable future, all necessary tests will be completed, following which the UTD-32T will enter serial production. After that, such engines will be used in the construction of new IFVs and in the modernization of the existing fleet.
It is reported that the UTD-32T engine differs from previous products by having a turbocharger and a fan cooling system. As a result of this upgrade, the engine's power and other parameters have increased. The new characteristics are not officially disclosed, but according to media reports, the power has increased to 660 hp. At the same time, the engine's weight has increased by only 7%.
Replacing the standard UTD-29 with the new UTD-32T will increase the specific power of the armored vehicle in the basic configuration. In the case of the BMP-3, which has a set of additional equipment, the new engine will return the specific power to the required level or even improve it. The running and maneuverability characteristics will change accordingly.
It is still unknown how soon the UTD-32T product will pass all the necessary tests and begin to be installed on armored vehicles. However, the very fact of the appearance of such an engine and the beginning of its testing brings this moment closer. The introduction of the new power plant is a matter of the foreseeable future, although it will require certain efforts.
Firepower
The BMP-3 has a developed weapons system, including barrel and missile systems. The 2A70 and 2A72 guns, 9M117 missiles, and PKT machine guns allow attacking and destroying manpower, unprotected and armored vehicles, and various structures within a radius of hundreds of meters to several kilometers.
Serial IFV undergoing weapons testing
Combat experience shows that the BMP-3 armament system generally meets modern requirements. Its radical reworking with replacement of key components is not currently required and, as far as is known, is not planned.
However, in the past, the industry proposed various options for such a modernization of the BMP-3. These projects provided for the replacement of the entire fighting compartment with modules with other artillery systems. For example, several experimental armored vehicles on the BMP-3 chassis with the AU220M combat module carrying a 57-mm automatic cannon were demonstrated.
Past and Future
The future BMP-3 was created in the eighties taking into account the requirements of that time. The result of the experimental design work was an armored vehicle with a high level of mobility, protection and firepower. In this form, the BMP entered service and was used for several decades.
However, in 2022, infantry fighting vehicles faced new threats, which forced the Russian army and industry to take urgent measures. Thanks to this, several options for upgrading the BMP-3 appeared, affecting all the main elements and systems. Due to this, all the main characteristics were improved and risks were reduced.
Currently, only modernized combat vehicles with additional equipment are coming off the assembly line. Other modernizations with the introduction of new components are expected. All these measures allow maintaining the characteristics at the required level and eliminating its shortcomings. Thanks to this, the army gets the opportunity to effectively solve problems, and also reduces risks for equipment and personnel.
Information