BMP-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide

First introduced in 1967, the BMP (Boyevaya Mashina Pyekhoty) represents a transition from the "armored personnel carrier" to the "infantry combat vehicle" in the Soviet and most Warsaw Pact armies. It has replaced the BTR-50P and complements the BTR-60PB in first-line motorized rifle units.

The BMP-1 has an all-welded hull and a three-man crew with the driver seated at the front left, the commander to his rear and the gunner at the turret. The vehicle is amphibious, being propelled through the water by its tracks.

Other options are improved tracks, smoke grenade launchers, laser warning receivers, spall liners, air conditioning, and a more powerful engine (360 hp).

A French SNPE explosive reactive armor (ERA) kit and others are available for use on the BMP-1. However, during dismounted troop movement, ERA would be a hazard. Thus, passive armor is more likely; and ERA application is doubtful. Additional armor application may jeopardize amphibious capability.

Russian BMP-2 2-man turrets with gun and fire control system are being marketed for BMP-1 customers. The Volgorod Tractor Plant offers the BMP-1/B30 package with a B30 turret (a drop-in one-man turret with 2A42 30-mm gun, 7.62-mm coax MG, BMP-2-type fire control system, PZU-8 AA sight, and a 9P135M ATGM launcher for AT-4/-5 ATGM). Russian KBP offers a drop-in one-man turret, called Kliver, with a stabilized 2A72 30-mm gun, a 4-Kornet ATGM launcher, thermal sights, and improved fire control system. A Ukrainian turret is also available.

Thermal gunner sights are available; however, most upgrades involve adding a thermal sight with an improved gun and improved fire control system. The Russian Alis thermal gunner's sight is available. The Slovenian TS-F ATGM thermal night sight has a detection range of 4,500 m and a recognition range of 2,000 m.

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BMP

The prototype IFV. Not fielded.

BMP-A

Initial BMP production variant. Halted with insignificant numbers.

BMP-1

1970. Also known as "BMP Model 1970," "Korshun." The baseline production IFV. Has an AT-3/SAGGER anti-tank guided missile. Its most noticeable modifications are the lengthening of the bow and the extension of the deflector shroud to the rear. These modifications were designed to improve the BMPs swimming capability, which was inhibited by the forward placement of the engine. Other changes include improved fume venting, NBC protection, an enlarged/squared firing port for the PKM machine gun below the turret and repositioned vision blocks above the crew compartment. A variety of variant IFVs/APCs and support vehicles have been developed using this chassis.

Copies include: Chinese WZ 501/Type 86, Czech BVP-1, and the Polish BWP-1.

Recognition features:

• Tracked vehicle.
• Six road wheels, evenly spaced, with three support rollers.
• Vertical lines on track skirts.
• Two bulging doors in rear.
• Four hatches on top of crew compartment.
• Four gun ports on left and right sides.
• Low silhouette with flat turret centered on hull.
• Sharp, sloping front with distinctive ridged surface.
• Commander's hatch mounts infrared searchlight.
• Amphibious.

BMP-1K

Company command IFV, with added R-126 and R-107 transceivers. Firing ports and most periscopes are blocked.

BMP-1KSh

Former Soviet regiment or division command and staff vehicle, with turret mounted erectable 10-meter radio mast. Radios include R-130, R-111, and R-173.

• No gun. "Hawkeye" antenna extends from front of turret.
• Antenna telescopes upward.
• Right rear side has tubular case for "Hawkeye" antenna parts.
• Rear center box-shaped generator.
• Four whip antennas on rear: two on left, two on right.

U.S. Army Photo
710x300, 79K, JPEG

BMP-1M

Iranian variant with drop rear gate vs double doors.

BMP-1P

1974. See data above.

The BMP-1P upgrade is widely fielded, with an AT-4/-5 ATGM launcher replacing the BMP-1's AT-3 launcher. The vehicle also added smoke grenade launchers. The AT-4/-4B ATGMs are less likely to be employed on this vehicle.

BMP-1PG

This Russian upgrade is similar to BMP-1P with an added AG-17 30-mm automatic grenade launcher and other options, including thermal sights.

BMP-1PK

Command variant, with addition of R-126 and R-107 transceiver. A small telescoping antenna is mounted on right rear. Firing ports and telescopes on right side are blocked off.

BMP-PPO

This is a mobile training version.

BMP-1TJ

Finish armoured tracked forward observation post vehicle.

BPzV

Czechoslovakian reconnaissance variant with a Tall Mike external tripod mounted radar.

BREM-2

Light recovery and repair vehicle with a light crane.

BREM-4

Armored recovery vehicle. Czech version is VPV.

BRM-1, BRM-1K

Reconnaissance command variants with improved sensors and low-profile 2-man turret.

BRM-23

Bulgarian reconnaissance variant with a 23-mm cannon, AT-3 ATGM, navigation system, NBC and artillery reconnaissance devices, and image intensifier night sights.

IMR

Armored engineer tractor, with crane and dozer blade.

IRM

Engineer underwater reconnaissance vehicle, with mine detectors and mapping capabilities.

MLI-84

Romanian APC variant with a 12.7-mm MG.

MP-31

Modernized command and staff vehicle.

OT-90

Czech APC variant with 14.5-mm and 7.62-mm MGs.

PRAM-S

Czechoslovakian self-propelled 120-mm mortar variant.

PRP-3/PRP-4 Artillery Mobile Surveillance Vehicle (Small Fred).

Artillery reconnaissance vehicle. The PRP-3 (BMP M1975) is easily distinguished from the BMP-1 by an enlarged two-man turret, which has been moved toward the rear and a 7.62mm machine gun rather than the 73mm gun and AT-3/Sagger of the BMP-1. Also, a rectangular folding antenna for the Small Fred battlefield surveillance radar is mounted on the rear of the turret. The PRP-3 carries a five-man crew and extensive radio and optical equipment.

• Single 7.62mm machine gun set in small ball in front of turret.
• "Small Fred" radar mounted on rear of turret.
• PRP-4 has boxes on both sides of turret and differently configured radar.

PRP-4
U.S. Army Photo
753x560, 99K, JPEG

Snezka

Czech stretched version battlefield surveillance vehicle, with a sensor suite (including radar) mounted on a telescoping arm.

SVO

Czechoslovakian turretless mine clearing variant with 24 large rocket-propelled line charges.

VP90

Czech reconnaissance vehicle with 14.5 and 7.62-mm MGs.