Since 2015, the AU-220M "Baikal" remotely controlled combat module (DUBM) has been regularly demonstrated at exhibitions. This product is equipped with a 57-mm 2A91 automatic cannon of increased power, which should provide it with a sharp increase in combat qualities. It is planned to use such opportunities in several promising projects, both Russian and foreign.
New opportunities
It is well known that the main reason for the appearance of the DBM "Baikal" was a kind of crisis in the field of light armored vehicles. Most of these machines are equipped with automatic cannons of 30 mm caliber, but at the same time they themselves are protected from such weapons. Accordingly, to combat them, guns of increased power and increased caliber are needed.
The AU-220M product was developed by the Nizhny Novgorod Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" and was first presented in 2015 at several domestic and foreign exhibitions. It is an uninhabited tower with machine gun and cannon weapons, means of storing and supplying ammunition, fire control devices, sights, etc. The defeat of targets is provided by a 2A91 cannon and a PKTM machine gun. In the future, it is possible to introduce a missile system.
"Baikal" was originally created as a universal DBM, suitable for installation on different chassis. In this regard, the main units are placed in a single housing that occupies the minimum volume inside the carrier machine. Certain requirements are imposed on the latter. So, for installation, a landing flange with a diameter of 1740 mm and a load capacity of at least 3650 kg are required. Also, the chassis must withstand the loads when firing.
As theoretical and design work has already shown, a number of domestic and foreign armored combat vehicles meet such requirements. Thanks to this, several models of equipment armed with "Baikal" have been created, and new ones may appear in the near future.
Russian developments
Already in 2015, the possibility of mounting the AU-220M module on the chassis of the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle was shown. This combination of the base vehicle and weapons allows you to create several types of armored vehicles of different classes and different purposes.
The first appeared the version of the BMP-3 called "Derivation", developed by the NPK "Uralvagonzavod". The standard fighting compartment was removed from the armored vehicle, instead of which a new DBM was mounted. This led to a sharp increase in combat characteristics and to the expansion of the range of tasks to be solved. In particular, the possibility of effective combat against both ground and air targets of various types was mentioned.
Later the project "Derivation" was developed. At the Army-2018 exhibition, the first public demonstration of the BMP-3 in version 2S38 "Derivation-Air Defense" took place. An armored vehicle with an updated AU-220M module is intended for military air defense. The fire controls have been improved to more effectively solve such problems with the 57 mm 2A91 cannon.
In 2016, the industry showed a modernized version of the BRM-3K Lynx combat reconnaissance vehicle, also updated with the Baikal module. Together with the DBM, the armored vehicle received new optoelectronic means suitable for performing reconnaissance missions.
Since 2015, it has been repeatedly mentioned that "Baikal" is fully compatible with the promising heavy unified platform "Armata". Subsequently, a corresponding project was developed, and in 2018.the public was shown for the first time a ready-made prototype of this kind. The DUBM AU-220M of the latest version, known as the "Dagger", was installed on the chassis of a heavy BMP T-15. A characteristic feature of this modification of "Baikal" is the presence of guided missiles that complement the powerful 57-mm gun.
So far, the T-15 with "Baikal" was demonstrated only at the exhibition area. However, in the near future it will be shown in motion. Recently, the Ministry of Defense announced that such equipment will take part in the May 9 parade. It should be noted that earlier armored combat vehicles with AU-220M were not shown on Red Square.
Foreign samples
A combat module with a 57-mm cannon is of interest not only to Russian designers and the military. There is already an international project providing for the installation of "Baikal" on a foreign chassis. In addition, work on a new machine of this kind may begin in the future.
In 2016, at the KADEX exhibition in Kazakhstan, the Barys 8x8 armored personnel carrier equipped with a Baikal model was shown. This sample is the result of a trilateral collaboration. The chassis was developed by the South African company Paramount Group (originally named Mbombe 8) and manufactured by the Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering joint venture. The model of the complex of weapons was presented by NPK UVZ.
It was argued that the "Barys" with the AU-220M could enter service in the very near future and go into production. However, this has not yet happened. "Baikal" remains at the testing stage, and until the completion of these works, the release of "Barys" with reinforced weapons is not possible. KPE is awaiting the completion of the tests and is ready to continue work on the joint project.
At the beginning of February, the Russian industry presented a number of modern developments at the Indian exhibition Defexpo-2020, incl. DUBM AU-220M. On the eve of the exhibition, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov spoke about the possible emergence of a new joint project using Baikal. Russia offered India to develop a promising BMP capable of carrying such a DBM. The Indian side's opinion on such a proposal is still unknown.
In the context of joint projects, one can recall the experimental wheeled BMP “Atom”, developed in the framework of cooperation between the Russian “Uralvagonzavod” and the French company Renault Trucks Defense. This armored vehicle received a BM-57 combat module with a 57-mm automatic cannon. It was seriously different from the modern AU-220M, but showed the fundamental possibility of equipping a wheeled armored fighting vehicle with an increased caliber weapon.
The Atom project did not develop. In 2014, the French side abandoned joint work due to a change in the political situation. However, some ideas and solutions could find application in practice. Less than a year later, the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" showed the combat module AU-220M.
Wide range of equipment
DBM AU-220M "Baikal" was developed only a few years ago and still has not left the testing stage. At the same time, the industry managed to create several versions of the module and work out a number of combat vehicles with its use. The possibility of installing a new product on several chassis of domestic and foreign production was shown to obtain an armored combat vehicle for various purposes. In addition, the appearance of new armored vehicles is possible, incl. joint development.
The prospects of all developed combat vehicles with "Baikal" directly depend on the progress of work on the combat module itself. According to domestic media reports, the development and testing process of this product is nearing completion. Thus, in the near future, the military department will have to assess new developments and choose the most successful ones for further production and operation in the troops.
Obviously, first "Baikal" will go into service with the Russian army. At the same time, it is not yet clear which sample contains. Several armored combat vehicles have been developed on serial and promising chassis, and all of them may be of interest to the army. It remains to wait for official statements and data on this matter. Then it is possible to launch a series of South African-Kazakh "Barys" with Russian weapons. In the long term, we can expect the emergence of a Russian-Indian BMP with such a weapon.
However, to obtain such results, it is necessary to complete the current work. Only after all the measures are completed, the AU-220M will be able to enter production and service. And only then will the army or a foreign customer be able to get all the desired advantages associated with advanced weapons.
