Кеңес Одағының жаяу әскерімен күресу машинасы

Soviet infantry fighting vehicle
the Soviet fighting vehicle

| variants = BMP 1, BMP 2, MLI 84, Boragh; see also BMP 1 variants. | spec label = Ob'yekt 765Sp3
| length = | off road The BMP 1 was the first mass produced infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) of the Soviet Union. It was called the M 1967, BMP and BMP 76PB by NATO before its correct designation was known. The Soviet military leadership saw any future wars as being conducted with nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. A new design, like the BMP, combining the properties of an armored personnel carrier (APC) and a light tank would allow infantry to operate from the relative safety of its armoured, radiation shielded interior in contaminated areas and to fight alongside it in uncontaminated areas. It would increase infantry squad mobility, provide fire support to them, and also be able to fight alongside main battle tanks. The BMP 1 was first tested in combat in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, where it was used by Egyptian and Syrian forces. Based on lessons learned from this conflict, and early experiences in the Soviet–Afghan War, a version with improved fighting qualities was developed, the BMP 2. It was accepted into service in August 1980. In 1987, the BMP 3, a radically redesigned vehicle with a completely new weapon, entered service in limited numbers with the Soviet Army.

The Red Army's mechanized infantry tactics during the 1950s were similar to World War II methods, in which APCs were used as "battle taxis". They would keep the infantry in close proximity to the battle tanks during movement, but on enemy contact they would unload their infantry before retreating to safer areas. This was in contrast to the German doctrine of infantry fighting vehicles manifested in the Schützenpanzer Lang HS.30, where the vehicles were supposed to stay with the tanks and engage lighter targets, both to take a burden off the tanks and to support their infantry squads. Existing APCs offered little or no protection from either nuclear or chemical weapons, as they were either open topped or could not be sealed sufficiently. Furthermore, the infantry had to disembark to be able to use their weapons. The requirement for the BMP, which was first drawn up in the late 1950s, stressed speed, good armament, and the ability for all squad members to fire from within the vehicle. The armament had to provide direct support for dismounted infantry in the attack and defense, and to be able to destroy comparable light armored vehicles. The vehicle needed to protect the crew from .50 cal machinegun fire and 20–23 mm caliber autocannons across the frontal arc, as well as from light shell fragments at distances between 500 m and 800 m.

Firepower consisted of the innovative combination of the 73 mm 2A28 Grom gun and a launcher for the 9M14 Malyutka (AT 3A Sagger A) anti tank wire guided missile (ATGM). The gun was intended to engage enemy armored vehicles and firing points at a range of up to The missile launcher was intended to be used against targets that were to away. Requirements were issued to the various design bureaus between 1959 and 1960. There was a question as to whether the BMP should be tracked or wheeled, so a number of experimental configurations were explored, including hybrid wheeled/tracked designs. The tracked Ob'yekt 764 (codename Object 764) was chosen because its front engine design provided a convenient and fast way of mounting and dismounting through two rear doors. The original prototype was built in 1964, followed by the improved Ob'yekt 765 in 1965, which was accepted by the Army in 1966, under a designation BMP 1. The 120th Guards Motor Rifle Division was the first formation in the Soviet Union to test prototypes of the new BMP ("objekt 765") infantry fighting vehicle in January–November 1965, under the command of Guards Major Vasiliy Samodelov. Small scale production began in 1966.

Characteristics of the main models of the BMP series BMP (ob'yekt 765Sp1) BMP 1 (объект 765Sp2) BMP 1 (объект 765Sp3) BMP 1P (объект 765Sp4/5) BMP 1D BMP 2 BMP 3 Weight (tonnes) 12.6 13.0 13.2 13.4 14.5 14.0 18.7 Crew 3+8 3+7Main gun 73 mm 2A28 "Grom" low pressure smoothbore semi automatic gun 30 mm 2A42 autocannon 100 mm 2A70 rifled automatic gun/missile launcher 30 mm 2A72 autocannonMachine gun(s) 7.62 mm PKT coaxial 3 × 7.62 mm PKT (1 coaxial, 2 bow mounted)ATGM (NATO designation) 9M14 "Malyutka" (AT 3 Sagger) and variants 9M113 "Konkurs" (AT 5 Spandrel) or 9M111 "Fagot" (AT 4 Spigot) and variants 9M14 "Malyutka" or 9M113 "Konkurs" or removed (on most vehicles) 9M113 "Konkurs" (AT 5 Spandrel) or 9M111 "Fagot" (AT 4 Spigot) and variants 9M117 "Bastion" (AT 10 Stabber)Engine UTD 20 6 cylinder 4 stroke V shaped airless injection water cooled diesel developing 300 hp (224 kW) at 2,600 rpm UTD 20S1 diesel developing 300 hp (224 kW) at 2,600 rpm UTD 29M 10 cylinder diesel developing 500 hp (375 kW) at 2,600 rpmPower to weight ratio hp/tonne (kW/tonne) 23.8 (17.8) 23.1 (17.2) 22.7 (17.0) 22.4 (16.7) 20.7 (15.5) 21.4 (16.0) 26.7 (20.0)

The BMP went into production with the Soviet Army in 1966. The first series (Ob'yekt 765 Sp1, "specification 1") was produced until 1969. It was replaced by the improved production model, the BMP 1 (the Ob'yekt 765 Sp2), which was produced from 1969 until 1973. This, in turn, was replaced by the Ob'yekt 765 Sp3, which was a modernized, 200 kg heavier version that was produced from 1973 to 1979. A number of improvements were made to the reliability of the chassis, engine and transmission during mass production. The last version of the BMP 1 IFV (BMP 1P, Ob'yekt 765 Sp4), which was produced from 1979 to 1983, was armed with a more powerful ATGM launcher 9P135M 1 for the ATGM "Konkurs"/"Fagot". The main manufacturer of the BMP 1 and its different variants was the Kurgan Machine Building Works (Kurganskiy Mashinostroitelyniy Zavod). The PRP 3 artillery reconnaissance vehicles were produced by the Chelyabinsk Tractor Works (ChTZ). The PRP 4/PRP 4M artillery reconnaissance vehicles were produced by the Rubtsovsk Engineering Works (RMZ). Upgrades of the BMP 1 were performed by KMZ as well as by tank repair workshops of the Ministry of Defence during scheduled and major overhauls. More than 20,000 BMP 1s and vehicles based on it were built in the USSR. BMP 1s were produced under license by Czechoslovakia (BVP 1), Romania (MLI 84) and India. Since 1986, the People's Republic of China has produced its own unlicensed copy called the Type 86 (WZ 501). The number of Type 86 IFVs and vehicles based upon it is around 3,000. It is still in service with the People's Liberation Army. From 1997, Iran produced its own modification of the BMP 1, the Boragh, which resembles the Chinese WZ 503.

In the mid 1970s, after analysis of the use of light AFVs during the Yom Kippur, Angolan and Vietnam wars, a modernization program was begun that resulted in the BMP 1P (Ob'yekt 765 Sp4). The main changes were the replacement of the largely ineffective 9M14M Malyutka ATGM with the more reliable, longer range and more powerful 9P135M or 9P135M 1 ATGM launcher. It was located on a special pintle mount on top of the turret roof, that could fire the SACLOS guided 9M113 and 9M113M Konkurs M ATGMs, which increased armor penetration to and had an extended range of
The 9P135M 1 launcher was capable of firing 9M111 and 9M111 2 Fagot ATGMs. The Malyutka loading hatch was usually welded shut and the mounting bracket was removed. The new missiles were somewhat difficult to use since the gunner had to stand in his open hatch, exposing himself to hostile fire. It is possible to detach the 9P135M(1) ATGM launcher from the turret and use it from the ground. The BMP 1P was equipped with neutron weapon protection covering and a new fire extinguishing system for protection against napalm. Later BMP 1Ps were fitted with an array of six 902V "Tucha" calibre smoke grenade launchers at the rear of the turret. Some were equipped with the track width KMT 10 mine plow. The BMP 1P replaced the BMP 1 in production in 1979. Many BMP 1s were upgraded to the new standard during the 1980s. The BMP 1PG model added a AGS 17 "Plamya" automatic grenade launcher on top of the turret on the left side, for which it carries 290 grenades. Some BMP 1s had the AGS 17 added during major repairs (Ob'yekt 765Sp8). A non amphibious BMP 1D (the so called 'Afghan' variant), was built in 1982 for assault units in Afghanistan. It had 5 mm thick appliqué steel armor plates on the hull sides with holes for side firing ports as well as armor plate under the commander's and driver's seats for added protection against mines. It had large steel armored skirts fitted to the sides of the hull covering the suspension. Firing ports were added into the top hatches of the troop compartment and a stowage box was placed on the roof at the rear of the hull on some vehicles. The 9S428 ATGM launcher was often removed and replaced by an AGS 17 automatic grenade launcher. Due to experience in Afghanistan, a new version with enhanced fighting capabilities, the BMP 2, was introduced in 1980. It had a new two man turret armed with a 30 mm 2A42 multi purpose autocannon and a 9P135M 1 ATGM launcher capable of firing SACLOS guided 9M113 Konkurs and 9M113M Konkurs M as well as 9M111 and 9M111 2 Fagot ATGMs. Later modernization plans included mounting the turret of the BMD 2 IFV on to BMP 1s, but the vehicle never left the design phase. Recent proposals for the modernization of BMP 1s include mounting new turrets armed with a 2A72 autocannon, approved in 2018, or a TKB 799 Kliver one man weapons station with a computerized fire control system, armed with a missile pod (which can be armed with either four 9M133 Kornet (AT 14 Spriggan) or 9M133F Kornet ATGMs or 9K38 Igla (SA 18 Grouse) SAMs), a 30 mm 2A72 dual purpose autocannon and a PKTM coaxial machine gun (BMP 1AM 'Basurmanin' and BMP 1M respectively). The BMP 1AM Basurmanin is an upgraded version of BMP 1 developed by The Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) research and manufacturing corporation (a subsidiary of the Rostec state corporation). The BMP 1AM is BMP 1 with the original turret replaced by the turret from BTR 82A with a 2A72 30 mm autocannon, a Kalashnikov PKTM 7.62 mm medium machinegun, and 902V Tucha smoke grenade launchers. The turret will be fitted with the TKN 4GA combined day night sighting system. The 2A72 cannon will be able to use air burst munitions. Approved in 2018, it is the most recent Russian BMP 1 upgrade. The Russian army plans to upgrade all of their BMP 1s and BMP 1Ps to BMP 1AM level. See BMP 1 variants article for a complete list of BMP 1 modifications and variants based upon it.

The BMP 1 is a fully amphibious tracked vehicle, with a front engined chassis developed especially for it, a welded steel hull with a sharp, sloping front with a conspicuously ridged surface, a centrally located, flat, truncated cone turret and a troop compartment at the rear.

The driver sits in the front on the left side of the hull. He has three TNPO 170 periscope vision blocks to provide vision when his hatch is closed. The driver's center vision block can be replaced with a TVNO 2 active night binocular vision device for use in night and poor visibility conditions or with a TNPO 350B extended periscope when swimming with the trim vane erected. The BMP was the first Soviet armored vehicle to use a simple yoke steering system.

The commander's station is located behind the driver's station and is provided with a removable OU 3GA2 or OU 3GK infrared searchlight with an effective range of about A dual mode (day/night) TKN 3B 5x/4.2x magnification binocular vision device is coupled to the infrared searchlight. Two periscope vision blocks are fitted with a heating and cleaning system. The commander's station is equipped with an R 123M radio set.

The BMP 1 has a conical turret equipped with a fume extraction system and an electric traverse drive with a manual backup system. OG 15V high explosive ammunition was made available from 1974. The BMP 1 was a threat to NATO APCs, light AFVs, and even MBTs of its time, by use of its main gun or ATGM. Nevertheless, the strong anti tank focus of its armament didn't provide sufficient firepower against enemy unarmored vehicles, infantry and light fortified positions, especially during mountain battles (mostly due to the low elevation angle of the main gun). The appearance of the more successful BMP 2 armed with the 30mm 2A42 dual purpose autocannon solved this serious problem.

The troop compartment located at the rear of the vehicle can carry up to eight soldiers. There are four firing ports on each side of the vehicle and a single firing port in the left rear door. A combination fume extractor hose and cartridge deflector is provided to clip on to weapons at each station. Soldiers sit on two padded benches along the center line of the vehicle and face the sides. Vehicle batteries, electric equipment and the main fuel tank are located between the benches, with tool stowage beneath. There are four large D shaped hatches in the roof of the hull, which can be opened from the troop compartment. The airtight rear doors of the troop compartment contain fuel tanks. Space inside the troop compartment is limited. There is little room for personal equipment, which leads to it being stowed outside while on operation, sometimes limiting rearward traverse of the turret. The seating is cramped, especially for troops in full battle dress. In the BMP 1 and BMP 2, ammunition is stored near or even inside the compartment, which can lead to a catastrophic failure in case of a hull breach.

The BMP 1 has seen wide use by all factions fighting in the Syrian Civil War due to large numbers being in stock. Since 2017 the Hayat Tahrir al Sham have been using captured BMP 1s as vehicle borne improvised explosive devices in suicide attacks. The vehicle's advantages in this role are the large amount of explosives it can carry, the off road capability afforded by tracks and the armour that both protects the driver from fire and amplifies the effect of the explosion.

The BMP 1 is still currently being used in the ongoing 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine by both Russian and Ukrainian forces due to its wide availability compared to the much more modern but less produced BMP 3.

Other BMP operators have included Poland, Egypt, Syria, the People's Republic of China, Afghanistan, India, Iraq, North Korea, East Germany, Greece, Slovakia, Sweden, Cambodia and Vietnam. The Ontario Regiment Museum has an operational BMP 1.