these is a old deal, going on from last 2-3 yrs,
anyhow, i got a small doubt about this deal,
250 BMP-3's??? anyway what are BMP's going to do in deserts,
basically these amphibian vehicles.
all the other deal is ok.
but there were pics about the air defence systems, that Saudi wanted,
its a modification of Tungaska, this system will be based on some truck with 3 rocket launch tubes [ Tungaska with 2 launch tubes], and a upgraded radar.
The deal with the BMP-3 is its independent hydropneumatic suspension, which allows for large dynamic road wheel travel and the ability to maintain smooth movement at comparable speeds in off-road conditions without swerving/jerking. But that ain't all, the choice of ballistic solution [Vo=250 m/sec] for the 2A70 100 m. rifled gun that disposes HE-Frag shells or 9M117 'Arkan' ATGMs, ensures that the gun is light-weight, meets targets at major angles and decreases range errors and dependence on firing range. The laser gun-laying control system and independent twoplane aiming line stabilizer coupled with rigid coaxiality of the 30 mm. autocannon means the launch of ATGM's or shells on the move with a high hit rate is possible. For long desert campaigns, the combat-effectiveness of the vehicle is guaranteed by its wide range of ammunition: including eight guided missiles, forty HE shells, 500 rounds for the automatic gun and 6,000 cartridges for the machine-guns. The track record of the BMP-3 in the desert is demonstrably superb, as was demonstrated in field trials for the UAE in July 1991: at ambient temperatures of 60+ C, the BMP-3 passed the 'terrainability' and 'survivability' tests of the UAE Army. And although it did get stuck in canyons, and had to be towed out in tandem, it did what the other contenders, the Bradley and the 'Warrior' couldn't - negotiated sand dunes at 30° and "dove" from them at 80° through a seven-hour blizzard-induced march.
My guess is Saudi Arabia will buy it with the "Namut" thermal sight and other modifications: probably with the "Kaktus" ERA and UTD-32 injun.
---------- Post added at 05:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:11 AM ----------
It is the most heavily armed IFV till date. Amphibious does not mean that it fights in water, but that it can cros large bodies of water such as a river where there are no bridges, or in a beach landing/assault. It is very much at home on land, and is also able to take out MBTs using its Konkurs missile complex.
That's right, and unlike the BMP-1 et 2, the BMP-3 moves through the water via hydrojets, and not by track-drive systems as was the case with its predecessors.
