Armored Personnel Carriers & Infantry Fighting Vehicles

[WolfPack86]

Thailand To Buy 34 Armored Personnel Carriers From China
The Thai Army signed with the NORINCO Group (China) a contract to purchase 34 armored personnel carriers 8x8 ZBL09 (export named VN1) armed with 30mm turret.

It is expected that the ZBL09 will be delivered by 2020. In addition, the contract includes 12,506 rounds of 30 x 165mm guns for the ZBL09 artillery shells. The unit price per ZBL09 in the contract is 59 million Baht ($ 1.7 million). Total contract value up to 2 billion Baht (US $59 million), Soha reported last Saturday.

In addition, the Chinese side has signed a deal worth 400 million baht (about $ 11.6 million) to modernize the armored vehicle repair facilities of the Thai Army. They could organize maintenance and repair of tanks and armor made by China such as 85 VT4 tanks and ZBL09 armored vehicles ordered by Thailand.

The decision to buy a ZBL09 armored vehicle from China shows that Thailand has officially closed the purchase of the BTR-3E1 armored vehicle from Ukraine under two contracts signed in 2007 and 2011.

Before that, Thailand stopped buying the main battle tank BM Oplot (also from Ukraine) and switched to the Chinese VT-4 tank.

The ZBL09 family of armored vehicles was designed and built at the Baotou Tram Factory (also known as Inner Mongolia Autonomous Prefecture), also known as the 617 Plant of the NORINCO Group. It is also the only factory in China to build the main tank.

Thailand is the second foreign nation to order ZBL09 (VN1) armored vehicles after Venezuela with the purchase of 40 VN1s for Marines in 2012.

Defense World

View News at Defense World

www.defenseworld.net

 

[WolfPack86]

BTR-4

Armored personnel carrier

The BTR-4 armored personnel carrier was developed in Ukraine as a private venture. Sometimes the BTR-4 is nicknamed the Bucefal (Bucephalus). Its prototype was unveiled in 2006. It was approved for production and adoption to Ukrainian Army service in 2008. However at that time these armored personnel carriers were not ordered by the Ukrainian Army due to funding problems. The BTR-4 APC is being offered on the export market. Iraq was the first customer of this armored personnel carrier. Iraqi MoD signed a contract for 420 of these APCs. First vehicles were delivered to Iraqi Army in 2011. However eventually Iraqi Mod cancelled the contract due to low quality of their BTR-4s. Only 88 armored vehicles delivered to Iraq, when the contract was cancelled. Unshipped APCs were returned to Ukraine and delivered to Ukrainian armed forces. Only in 2014 after the Russian military actions in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Army ordered 154 of these APCs and another 40 units were ordered by Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazakhstan was another export customer and ordered 100 of these APCs. In 2016 a total of 5 units were delivered to Indonesia. The BTR-4 has seen combat in Ukraine and Iraq.

Vehicle has a different layout, comparing with the Soviet 8x8 armored personnel carriers. The main drawback of the Soviet APCs was a rear-mounted engine. Troops had to leave the vehicle through the side doors, thus being exposed to enemy fire. The BTR-4 has engine and transmission mounted in the middle of the hull. Troop compartment is located at the rear. Its layout is similar to that of Western designs.

During 2014 Ukrainian conflict with Russia the BTR-4 APCs were extensively used. Within half of the year more than 900 improvements were made to the design of the vehicle.

Prototype of the BTR-4 was armed with a 30 mm cannon, 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and four Konkurs or Baryer anti-tank guided missiles, or alternatively a 30 mm automatic grenade launcher in place of two anti-tank missiles. This variant can carry 8 troops (7 in up-armored version). The BTR-4 is also proposed with a number of armament modules:

Grom module, 1 x 30 mm cannon, 1 x 30 mm automatic grenade launcher, 1 x 7.62 mm machine gun, 4 x Konkurs or Baryer anti-tank missile launchers, capacity for 8 troops;

Shkval module, 1 x 30 mm cannon, 1 x 30 mm automatic grenade launcher, 1 x 7.62 mm machine gun, 2 x Konkurs of Baryer anti-tank missile launchers, capacity for 8 troops;

BAU 23 x 2 module, 2 x 23 mm cannons, 1 x 7.62 mm machine gun, capacity for 8 troops.

The BTR-4 can also be armed according to customer requirements.

A baseline version of the BTR-4 provides all-round protection against 7.62 mm ball rounds and artillery shell splinters. It seems that the front arc withstands 12.7 mm rounds. Vehicle also withstands 6 kg anti-tank mine blasts. Add-on armor can be fitted for a higher level of protection. The BTR-4 is equipped with automatic fire suppression and NBC protection systems.

The BTR-4 has a crew of three, including commander, gunner and driver. Vehicle can carry 7 - 9 troops, depending on the armament module type. Troops enter and leave the vehicle through the rear doors or roof hatches. Commander and driver are provided with side doors, located on each side of the hull.

The BTR-4 is powered by Ukrainian 3TD diesel engine, developing 500 hp. Alternatively vehicle can be powered by a Deutz diesel engine, developing 500-600 hp. This APC is fully amphibious and is propelled on water by two waterjets.

Variants​

BTR-4MV version with improved armor protection, developed in 2013. The baseline version provides all-round protection against 7.62 mm armor-piercing rounds and artillery shell splinters. Vehicle also withstands 8 kg anti-tank mine blasts. Protection level can be further improved by fitting add-on armor. It was accepted to service with Ukrainian Army.

BTR-4E1 another version with improved armor protection. Protection of this vehicle is enhanced by add-on armor kit. This version was revealed in 2014. Despite increased protection and weight this APC retains amphibious capability.

BTR-4K command vehicle.

BTR-4Ksh command and staff vehicle.

BRM-4K reconnaissance vehicle.

BREM-4K repair and recovery vehicle.

BSEM-4K armored ambulance.

MOP-4K fire support vehicle, fitted with 120 mm gun and 12.7 mm machine gun.

BTR-4 Armored Personnel Carrier | Military-Today.com

The BTR-4 armored personnel carrier was developed in Ukraine as a private venture. It was approved for production in 2008 and first deliveries to Ukrainian Army are expected in 2009.

www.military-today.com

 

[WolfPack86]

Ministry of Defense from Russia will get 323 BTR-82AM armoured personnel carrier in 2016-2018 12508162
Russia`s Ministry of Defense (MoD) will get 323 BTR-82AM armoured personnel carriers (APC) in 2016-2018, according to a source in the indigenous defense industry. "In April 2016, the 81st Armour Repairing Plant (Russian acronym: BTRZ, Bronetankovyi Remontnyi Zavod, a subsidiary of the Uralvagonzavod research-production corporation) and the Russian MoD signed the contract for 323 BTR-82AM APCs to be delivered in 2016-2018.

In accordance with the agreement, the customer will receive 78 BTR-82AM vehicles in 2016, 100 in 2017, and 145 in 2018," the source said.

He added that the 81st BTRZ had already signed the contracts with the subcontractors in order to get the components for the aforementioned BTR-82AM carriers. "The 81st BTRZ has ordered 2,584 KI-126 tires from the LLC AMTEL Investment Company, 12ST-85RM accumulator batteries, 323 contact components, 323 kits of lifting straps, and 323 spare tools and accessories kits," the source said.

By mid-2016, the 81st BTRZ had finished the implementation of the first contract worth RUB6.77 billion (USD104.1 million) for BTR-82AM armoured personnel carriers intended for the Russian military. "In accordance with the first agreement signed in April 2014, the MoD received 316 BTR-82AM vehicles. The first 120 APCs were delivered in 2014, 134 in 2015, and 62 in 2016," the source pointed out. Hence, Russia`s Ministry of Defense will have received a total of 639 BTR-82AM armoured personnel carriers from the 81st BTRZ by mid-2018.

It is noteworthy that the 81st BTRZ is to supply 17 BTR-82AM armoured vehicles to Russia`s Ministry of Internal Affairs (Russian acronym: MVD, Ministerstvo Vnutrennikh Del). However, the source did not specify the terms of the relevant contract.

BTR-82AM is the upgrade of the ageing BTR-80 APC to the BTR-82A level. According to the official data provided by the manufacturer of the vehicles, the Military Industrial Company (Russian acronym: VPK, Voyenno-Promishlennaya Kompaniya), the BTR-82A APC has a combat weight of 16,000 kg, a maximum road speed of 80 km/h, a maximum swimming speed of 9 km/h, and an operational range of 700 km. The vehicle is armed with a 30 mm Shipunov 2A72 stabilized cannon and a 7.62 mm Kalashnikov PKTM coaxial machinegun. The carrier is powered by the KAMAZ 740.14-300 turbodiesel engine (300 h.p.). BTR-82A is armoured at Level 2 STANAG 4569 (all-round protection against 7.62 mm steel core armour-piercing bullet at a 30 m distance). BTR-82A has retained the basic armour protection of its predecessor, BTR-80/BTR-82A. It is slightly increased due to the installation of spall liner. The APC carries a sophisticated radio, the Trona-1 geospatial system with combined inertial/satellite navigation subsystems, and a day/night sighting system. The BTR-82A’s firepower has been increased owing to the electrically driven manned combat module equipped with the two-axis gun stabilizer.

However, the main drawback of BTR-80/BTR-80A, namely, weak ballistic/counter-mine protection was not fixed. The Military Industrial Company is doing some efforts to enhance the BTR-82A/AM`s protection, according to the company`s Director General, Alexander Krasovitsky.

"The protection level of the BTR-82A APC will be increased, as our customers require the upgrade of the carriers` ballistic and counter-mine protection. VPK will use its know-hows to increase the survivability of the APCs on the modern battlefield," Krasovitsky said.

He pointed out, that both BTR-80 / 80A and BTR-82A are still in high demand by foreign customers on the global arms market. "New customers for our armoured vehicles are appearing. The APCs developed by VPK have proven themselves reliable and effective in combat. Furthermore, the BTR-82A carrier has a significant advantage over his rivals at the modern arms market, namely, its balanced cost, which has become more attractive due to the available rate of exchange. The analogues of BTR-82A developed by, for instance, Turkey or Finland are much more expensive, while the BTR-82A`s technical specifications do not fall short of them and in several areas significantly exceed those of Western vehicles," Krasovitsky pointed out.

BTR-82A/AM is supposed to replace the BTR-80 / 80A APCs in service with the Russian Armed Forces. According to the Military Balance 2016 report issued by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Russia`s military operates 1,220 BTR-82A/AMs. It should be noted that Moscow is intensively promoting the vehicles on the global arms market. Kazakhstan is known to have received 70 BTR-82As, while Belarus has ordered 32 BTR-82A carriers.

Russia`s MoD orders not only BTR-82AMs rebuilt from BTR-80s, but also brand-new BTR-82As. The latest disclosed contract for 20 BTR-82A vehicles was signed in April 2016. The carriers are to be delivered by end-2016. The cost of the agreement was not announced.

BTR-82A/AM armoured personnel carriers are supposed to be replaced by the Bumerang (Boomerang) platform "in the nearest future", according to the source. However, they will be the backbone of the Naval Infantry and Motor rifle units for about 10-15 years. "Do not dismiss the BTR-82A vehicles. They have already revealed their high combat potential and cost-effectiveness ratio. One cannot find an infantry fighting vehicle at the price of an APC," he concluded.

Ministry of Defense from Russia will get 323 BTR-82AM armoured personnel carrier in 2016-2018 12508162 | August 2016 Global Defense Security news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2016 | Archive News year

Ministry of Defense from Russia will get 323 BTR-82AM armoured personnel carrier in 2016-2018 12508162

www.armyrecognition.com

 

[WolfPack86]

Iraq and Saudi Arabia plan to acquire BMP-3 armoured infantry fighting vehicles from Russia 13009155
Iraq plans to acquire 500 and Saudi Arabia 950 BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles from Russia, Albert Bakov, first vice president and co-owner of the Tractor Works Concern, the manufacturer of this armoured vehicle. The BMP-3 is in service with many countries including United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, Indonesia, Kuwait and South Korea.

We’ve got an application for 500 BMP-3s from Iraq and for 950 from Saudi Arabia," the interlocutor told the Russian press Agency.

He noted that there are no problems with orders, but a balance must be set between those for export and for the domestic market. "In 2016 we’ll start conveyor manufacturing to fulfill all the orders on time. However, the conveyor start-up calls for a lot of work in the component supply segment," Bakov added.

Previously it became known that before the end of 2017 the Russian Defense Ministry is due to receive over 200 new BMP-3s. In addition, there were reports that those combat machines might be purchased by Myanmar and Morocco planning to acquire small lots of 35 to 40 IFVs.

The BMP-3 is a Soviet tracked amphibious armoured infantry fighting vehicle, successor to the BMP-1 and BMP-2, which entered service with the Soviet army in 1990.

The first export customer was United Arab Emirates, which placed an initial order for 330 vehicles which were delivered between 1992 and 1995.

The main armament of the BMP-3 is a 100mm 2A70 semi-automatic rifled gun / missile launcher, which is stabilised in two axes and can fire either 3UOF HE-FRAG rounds or 3UBK10 anti-tank guided missiles. Effective range for the HE-FRAG round is 4,000m.

Second armament of BMP-3 includes one 30 mm 2A72 coaxial cannon and one 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun. One 7.62 mm PKT machine gun is mounted either side of the hull, firing forwards and these are operated by one of the front three crew members.

Iraq and Saudi Arabia plan to acquire BMP-3 armoured infantry fighting vehicles from Russia 13009155 | September 2015 Global Defense Security news UK | Defense Security global news industry army 2015 | Archive News year

Iraq and Saudi Arabia plan to acquire BMP-3 armoured infantry fighting vehicles from Russia 13009155

www.armyrecognition.com

 

[WolfPack86]

Greek to buy m1117 asv

 

[Okabe Rintarou]

US Army retiring its Stryker Mounted Gun System by end of 2022. Shows that they don't consider the capability particularly indispensable. Keep in mind that this is happening while the US military re-arms for near-peer conflicts.

The Army Is Ditching All of Its Stryker Mobile Gun Systems
https://www.military.com/daily-news...ng-all-of-its-stryker-mobile-gun-systems.html

The service said in a news release it had decided the time has come to retire the M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System after a study showed it is obsolete, and its out-of-date cannon and automatic loader have systemic issues.

Army officials reviewed the system's vulnerabilities and decided the service's money would be better spent on modernizing other components of the Stryker fleet, such as the Medium Caliber Weapons System, the Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station-Javelin, the Anti-Tank Guided Missile Updates, and the 30mm cannon.

 

[Photon]

new Belarusian APC look like DRDO kestral

https://defence-blog.com/belarus-unveils-prototype-new-armored-personnel-carrier/?fbclid=IwAR0yVXFk1Dc9wUVufbN6bYXy7iDf0K2FP55K-l4JNhbqCbWDpMjytMrWwJw

 

[SUPERPOWER]

new Belarusian APC look like DRDO kestral

https://defence-blog.com/belarus-unveils-prototype-new-armored-personnel-carrier/?fbclid=IwAR0yVXFk1Dc9wUVufbN6bYXy7iDf0K2FP55K-l4JNhbqCbWDpMjytMrWwJw

View attachment 96208

For a min my heart stopped thinking its kestrel....dont know when my dream come true..keeping fingers crossed..

 

[Marliii]

 

[Akim]

new Belarusian APC look like DRDO kestral

https://defence-blog.com/belarus-unveils-prototype-new-armored-personnel-carrier/?fbclid=IwAR0yVXFk1Dc9wUVufbN6bYXy7iDf0K2FP55K-l4JNhbqCbWDpMjytMrWwJw

View attachment 96208

It looks like most APCs of our time.
Export "Boomerang".

 

[bhramos]

 

[JBH22]

I have a bad feeling about this picture. For a long time they are trying to sell us the BMP 3, while it is a good replacement to BMP2 and can even act as light tank, it is not something that we can use after next 10 years and will kill local products.

 

[Maharaj samudragupt]

I have a bad feeling about this picture. For a long time they are trying to sell us the BMP 3, while it is a good replacement to BMP2 and can even act as light tank, it is not something that we can use after next 10 years and will kill local products.

View attachment 104680

I realise what you mean .
This bmp 3 looks as if it belongs to army itself.

 

[Jimih]

Whats this?

 

[shuvo@y2k10]

Whats this?

View attachment 104689

This is most likely a bulletproof troop carrier designed for confined spaces. Typically 1-2 people can sit in it and enter buildings without getting exposed.
Many such concepts were developed by DRDO and pvt players after 26/11 and showcased in defence Expos over the last few years. Examples:

From DRDO

(From TATAs)

Though this is the first time I am seeing such a vehicle in action.

 

[itsme]

Any chance Lynx KF41 will respond to the RFI? That is one hot pussy cat.

 

[shuvo@y2k10]

Any chance Lynx KF41 will respond to the RFI? That is one hot pussy cat.

Nothing concrete. Rhinemetal has signed a MOU with BHEL and UP Government last year to set up local production units to offer under 'Make in India' banner.
Some journalist were speculating that Lynx IFV may be on offer, others were speculating skyshield AD, some even suggested that the newly developed 130 mm Tank gun may be offered.
But nothing concrete, as far as now.

 

[JBH22]

Any chance Lynx KF41 will respond to the RFI? That is one hot pussy cat.

Tbh with the quantity that we need and given the unit cost, such platform are too costly for us.
If you see Germans they operate hundreds of them while our requirement comes into thousand.
So don't expect this to come with IA.

 

[Maharaj samudragupt]

Tbh with the quantity that we need and given the unit cost, such platform are too costly for us.
If you see Germans they operate hundreds of them while our requirement comes into thousand.
So don't expect this to come with IA.

I expect BMP 3 to come , what you expect ?

 

[JBH22]

I expect BMP 3 to come , what you expect ?

I hope not, better get new turret for kestrel platform. Like what the Russians did with bumerang.
But yes I agree with you the BMP 3 nightmare seems to be materialising.