XCB-01 infantry fighting vehicle for the Vietnamese army
XCB-01 IFV on parade on September 2, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Vietnam strives to independently maintain the combat readiness of its armed forces, for which it develops and produces various models weapons and equipment. One of the latest examples of this approach is the XCB-01 infantry fighting vehicle. It was developed several years ago on the basis of the old Soviet BMP-1, taking into account modern threats and the needs of the army.
Deep upgrade
Currently, the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) infantry units have about 300 BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles. This equipment was sent by the USSR before its collapse - and by now its age and condition leave much to be desired. In the future, the Vietnamese ground forces will need a major re-equipment.
The first steps in this direction were taken in 2022. At the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Defense launched the development of a new IFV, the design of which will take into account the experience of operating old equipment, modern threats, as well as the state and capabilities of the Vietnamese industry. In essence, it was a modernization of the existing BMP-1. The project was designated XCB-01 (Xe Chiến đấu Bộ binh-01 - "Infantry Fighting Vehicle-01").
The overall management of the project was assigned to the Main Directorate of Defense Industry. The lead developer and contractor was the Z189 shipyard (Haiphong). In addition, a number of other organizations were involved in the work, which were to make various components. Purchases of units abroad were planned.
According to known data, the development of the XCB-01 project and the construction of the first prototype (or prototypes) took only a few months. The prototype was launched for testing in the fall of 2022. The rapid development was facilitated by a certain simplicity of the project, the rejection of significant innovations and the availability of all the necessary technologies and components.
General view of the XCB-01. Photo Wikimedia Commons
Testing and demonstration
In November 2022, the experimental XCB-01 IFV arrived at one of the VNA training centers. The new vehicle was demonstrated to the command and personnel who would operate it in the future. Apparently, preparations for the start of testing were underway at the same time.
It soon became known that the XCB-01 had entered the testing grounds and was demonstrating its performance. It is likely that the armament and other onboard systems were also tested. Photos from the water tests were also made publicly available. Finally, in December 2023, the prototype was involved in full-scale army exercises.
Last December, the international military-technical exhibition Vietnam Defence Expo 2024 was held in Hanoi. At this event, the General Directorate of Defence Industry officially presented a new domestically developed IFV. The main characteristics and design features were revealed.
Following the tests, the XCB-01 was recommended for adoption. Also, serial production was launched at the Z189 plant. By now, the VNA should have received the first batches of equipment. At the same time, the army's needs for such IFVs and possible production rates, for obvious reasons, are not disclosed.
On September 2, a military parade dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the country's independence was held in the Vietnamese capital. As part of this event, the VNA displayed all the main types of weapons and equipment available in service. In particular, the mechanized column included infantry armored vehicles of the main types, both the old BMP-1 and the new XCB-01. Four new-type BMPs were shown at the parade.
An experimental IFV during exercises in 2023. Photo by Baochinhphu.vn
Technical features
In terms of design, the XCB-01 is a deep modernization of the BMP-1. Taking into account the new requirements and needs of the customer, the hull design was changed, the power plant was rebuilt, the weapons system was updated and other adjustments were made. At the same time, the main technical and layout solutions have not changed.
The hull was redesigned to increase the internal volume. The upper part of its sides became 150 mm higher. The nose and roof were also redesigned. The hull received new side screens of increased volume. Despite the changes, the level of protection of such a hull remained the same. The frontal projection withstands armor-piercing 12,7 mm bullets, and the rest of the armor protects against 7,62 mm rifle bullets.
The XCB-01 has received optical-electronic countermeasures. There are several laser irradiation sensors on the roof of the hull and on the rear of the turret, providing all-round visibility. When a laser beam is detected, a smoke grenade is automatically fired in the desired direction.
Due to the change in the hull, the overall length of the IFV increased to 6,95 m, the width - to 3,25 m. The height of the vehicle (excluding weapons on the turret) is 2,15 m. The combat weight is declared at 14,6 tons.
The experimental IFV was equipped with a South Korean-made Doosan DL08 diesel engine. The 340 hp diesel engine was able to fit into the existing engine compartment of increased height. However, later it was decided to return to the time-tested UTD-20 engine. It was supplemented with a turbocharger, which allowed increasing the power to 338 hp. The transmission and chassis were taken from the BMP-1 without significant changes.
Troop compartment. Photo Wikimedia Commons
Both new engines compensated for the increase in weight and allowed maintaining the specific power at the level of the base IFV. The running characteristics also remained virtually unchanged. The XCB-01 is capable of moving on the highway at a speed of up to 65 km/h and swimming at a speed of up to 7 km/h. The cruising range is 500 km.
The XCB-01 IFV received a new fighting compartment. A faceted turret cap was developed for it. In the center of the forehead there is an embrasure with the main armament. On a common swinging mount there is a 73-mm HT-73-01 cannon (a copy of the Soviet 2A28 Grom), a twin PKT machine gun and a launcher for missiles 9M14 "Malyutka". On the sides of the installation are four-barreled blocks of "Tucha" smoke grenade launchers.
For fire control and aiming, a combined sight 1PN22VN1 is used, also based on a Soviet product. It has a day channel, a night vision device, an infrared channel and a laser rangefinder. The ability to detect targets at any time of day and in any weather conditions at a distance of at least 2 km is declared.
In the central part of the turret roof there is a pedestal mount for a large-caliber NSV machine gun. This weapon is proposed to be used as an anti-aircraft weapon. It is controlled by one of the crew members standing in the hatch.
The crew of the Vietnamese IFV consists of three people - a commander, a gunner-operator and a driver. The troop compartment holds eight soldiers. They are located on longitudinal seats facing the sides. The side embrasures of the BMP-1 have been retained. The set of hatches in the roof and rear doors has remained the same.
XCB-01 next to BMP-1. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Limited revision
The Vietnamese defense industry cannot independently develop and produce modern armored vehicles. For objective reasons, it can only repair, modernize and rebuild existing products. In fact, this is how the XCB-01 project came about.
As part of its project, the Vietnamese industry made limited changes to the original design, but due to this, it achieved significant results. Thus, it was possible to improve the hull layout and ergonomics of the habitable compartments. The required running and dynamic characteristics were also preserved. Without changing the armor, they improved the level of protection using a radiation detection system and smoke grenade launchers.
The modification of the armament complex is of interest. The XCB-01 received a new turret cap and, probably, modified internal units. At the same time, the composition of the armament on the oscillating mount has not changed. Apparently, the VNA does not consider the 73-mm Grom cannon obsolete and is going to continue to use it. The overall fire characteristics have been improved by replacing the sighting devices. In addition, the previously available armament has been supplemented with an anti-aircraft large-caliber machine gun.
As a result of such changes, some fire characteristics should improve. First of all, this is the accuracy of fire and the ability to recognize and destroy targets in difficult conditions. The NSV anti-aircraft machine gun should increase the overall firepower. In addition, it can compensate for the insufficient elevation angles of the main mount - the BMP gets the ability to fire at air targets.
Park renewal
Thus, the Vietnamese XCB-01 IFV differs from the Soviet model by a number of minor changes, and also has similar characteristics and combat potential. However, several interesting and useful ideas have been proposed and implemented. In addition, the XCB-01 is being built right now and has a zero service life.
By producing new infantry fighting vehicles, the VPA will be able to modernize its fleet and extend the service life of the equipment. In addition, the army will receive some new combat capabilities. How long it will have to use the XCB-01, and whether it will be possible to replace them with fundamentally new equipment, is still unknown. In the meantime, the main task of the Vietnamese industry is the production of IFVs of its own design.
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