From 1966 to 1983, the Soviet defense industry built and handed over to a number of customers, primarily our army, about 20 thousand BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles. Then this technique in the series was replaced by a newer BMP-2, which had known advantages in the field of weapons. However, in the future, the new armored vehicle could not completely replace the existing equipment, and the BMP-1 still remains in the army. So that they can continue to serve and show characteristics at the level of more effective "followers", various options for upgrading equipment are offered. The last project of this kind at the moment received the designation BMP-1AM "Basurmanin".
The issue of modernizing BMP-1 combat vehicles, which have not the most successful fighting compartment, arose several decades ago, and over the past time has managed to get several decisions at once. At different times, various organizations proposed different options for modernizing armored vehicles using certain units. In this case, almost always it was about the use of completely new equipment. Not so long ago, another modernization project was created, providing for certain savings.
Recent events
The topic of the future modernization of the BMP-1 again became the subject of news and discussion earlier this year. According to media reports, in the foreseeable future, the industry had to offer the military department a new project of this kind. The updated armored vehicle had a chance to enter service: it was expected that the Ministry of Defense would launch a massive modernization of combat vehicles.
The tower of the BMP-1 machine of the basic version. Photo Wikimedia Commons
Until a certain time, exact information about the principles of modernization was not announced. Only in the middle of spring, the media learned that the BMP-1, as part of a future project, will receive an already existing combat module. This system, which has machine-gun and cannon armament, was proposed to be borrowed from the serial armored personnel carrier BTR-82A. Subsequently, this information was officially confirmed.
Within the framework of the international military-technical forum "Army-2018", held at the end of August, the Rubtsovsk branch of the scientific-production corporation "Uralvagonzavod" for the first time showed a full-fledged armored vehicle of a new type. By this time it became known that the modernization project was named BPM-1AM and Basurmanin. It is curious that the technique of the new model was demonstrated in several ways: it was present in a static display, and also participated in a dynamic display at the test site.
According to April reports, over the next few months, one of the enterprises from the NPK Uralvagonzavod was to complete the repair and restructuring of combat BMP-1 according to the new project. These works were planned to be completed by the end of the summer. Subsequently, it was supposed to update several more batches of equipment taken from units of the ground forces.
Modernization issues
The Basurmanin project, like the previous versions of the BMP-1 modernization, provides for the replacement of only individual units while maintaining all other structural elements. So, the existing armored corps with part of its equipment remains unchanged. The layout of the internal volumes does not change as expected. The BMP-1AM project, as mentioned earlier, affects the weapons complex. At the same time, according to later reports, the modernization of the power plant is also envisaged.
The BTR-82A armored personnel carrier is a source of components for the Basurmanin. Photo by Rosoboronexport / roe.ru
In the basic configuration, the BMP-1 is equipped with an UTD-20 diesel engine with a power of 300 hp. In the AM project, it is replaced by the UTD-20S1 product. It has the same power, but differs in a number of performance characteristics. Replacing the engine is supposed to make the job of the driver and technicians easier. In addition, the joint operation of armored vehicles of different types will also be simplified, since the Basurmanin is unified in terms of its engine with the BMP-2.
Initially, the BMP-1 is equipped with an armored turret with a mount carrying a 73-mm 2A28 gun and a PKT machine gun. Such a system has shown itself not in the best way for a long time, and therefore, in almost all modern projects for the modernization of armored vehicles, it is abandoned. The BMP-1AM project was no exception. It provides for the dismantling of the original tower with all turret devices. In addition, along with the turret, the car loses a large section of the hull roof, on which the old shoulder strap is located.
A new roof element with a shoulder strap of a different diameter is designed to install a combat module from an armored personnel carrier BTR-82A. This product is a low turret with bulletproof armor, on which the swinging unit with the main armament is openly placed. The weapon is mounted outside the main turret dome, next to it is the ammunition load. The shooter's workplace is located under the turret, while the shooter himself remains almost completely under the protection of the hull.
The main armament of the Basurmanin is a 30-mm 2A72 automatic cannon. The gun is capable of using shells of different types and shows a rate of fire of the order of 330-350 rounds per minute. The effective range of fire depends on the type of target and reaches 3-4 km. The PKTM machine gun is paired with the cannon. Several Tucha-type launchers are installed on the tower hull. The automatic cannon has 300 rounds of ammunition. The machine gun is designed for 2000 rounds in one belt.
One of the elements of the new equipment is the TKN-4GA combined sight. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
Together with the weapons, the tower carries fire controls. The gunner has a combined (day-night) sight TKN-4GA. The sight field of view is stabilized. Guidance is carried out using a remote control. The electric drives are connected to a two-plane stabilizer. Fire control devices ensure high accuracy and accuracy of fire during operation at any time of the day and in different weather conditions.
The design of the tower installation provides firing in any direction in azimuth. Vertical guidance is carried out in the range from -5 ° to + 70 °. For comparison, the standard BMP-1 weapon of the basic version could only rise by 30 °.
Despite significant changes and the installation of new units, the BMP-1AM in terms of size and weight does not differ much from the existing equipment. The installation of a new combat module leads to a slight increase in the height of the vehicle. At the same time, the combat weight increases to 14, 3 tons. Running characteristics, mobility and maneuverability remain at the level of the base sample.
Advantages and disadvantages
The list of shortcomings of the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle in general and its weapons in particular has long been well known. The main gun 2A28 does not have the highest characteristics, which may be insufficient for solving the task at hand. In addition, the real capabilities of the vehicle are seriously limited by the gun mount with limited aiming angles.
BMP-1AM during a dynamic display at Army-2018. Photo Bastion-karpenko.ru
All these shortcomings were taken into account when developing the next infantry fighting vehicle. The BMP-2 retained the existing chassis, but received a completely new combat module with a fundamentally different weaponry. In the mid-seventies, comparative tests were carried out, during which the new BMP-2 showed the most serious advantages over the older model. The higher efficiency of the 30-mm automatic cannon has been proven in practice.
It should be noted that the serial BMP-2 is equipped with the 2A42 gun, while the BMP-1AM project uses a different weapon of the same caliber - 2A72. However, this fact is unlikely to have a serious impact on the real ratio of the capabilities of "Basurmanin" and the base BMP-1. A turret with an automatic cannon from an armored personnel carrier should also have obvious advantages over a turret with a 2A28 gun.
It should be noted that the Basurmanin, unlike the base vehicle, does not carry a standard anti-tank missile system, and this, to a certain extent, reduces its combat potential. Perhaps, in the near future, the necessary new means will be introduced into the BMP-1AM project, thanks to which the infantry fighting vehicle will be able to use not only barrel, but also missile weapons.
An important advantage is the unification of the upgraded BMP-1AM with the existing BMP-2 in terms of power plant units. Thanks to this, "Basurmanin" can effectively work in the same battle formations with other equipment, and also simplifies the joint operation of machines of different models.
A characteristic and interesting feature of the BMP-1AM project is the proposed composition of the units. This armored vehicle consists of an existing serial chassis, a serial engine and a finished turret installation. Only individual parts have been redesigned to ensure the connection of other machine components.
"Premiere" of the armored vehicle. Photo Wikimedia Commons
This architecture of the armored vehicle greatly simplifies its production, and also reduces the cost of upgrading individual vehicles or entire batches. It also becomes possible to simplify the process of training crews or speed up the retraining of a specialist when switching from one type of equipment to another. Perhaps the BMP-1AM does not attract attention with its technical appearance, but it is he who gives it a serious production and operational potential.
Perspectives
According to known data, at present, at least 500-1000 BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles remain in service in the Russian army. Another 7 thousand units of such equipment are in storage awaiting return to service or cutting. In terms of their capabilities, combat and reserve armored vehicles are noticeably inferior to the newer BMP-2, not to mention the BMP-3 or the promising Kurganets-25. Nevertheless, it becomes possible to correct the current state of affairs in a short time and without particularly large expenditures.
Despite the presence of certain shortcomings and the appearance of newer models, the BMP-2 with an automatic cannon is still of interest to the army, which affects the prospects of the Basurmanin. The proposed version of the modernization of equipment will allow the continued operation of existing machines, increase their basic characteristics, but at the same time do without the construction of new models. Moreover, it will not even be necessary to start production of new units.
How many BMP-1AM can be needed by the Russian army has not yet been specified. It has several thousand of these machines at its disposal, each of which has a chance to get repairs and upgrades. How many BMP-1s will eventually receive additional letters "AM" - it will be known later. According to the available data and reports of the past months, the decision in principle to carry out mass modernization has already been made.
Board and stern views. Photo Bastion-karpenko.ru
It should be recalled that in addition to Russia, BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles are operated in various quantities by almost four dozen foreign countries from a number of regions of the world. Their fleet of equipment is much more modest than the Russian one, but even in this case, armored vehicles may need to be repaired and updated. A simple and cheap modernization project should be of interest to the foreign military, who would like to update their materiel, but do not have the opportunity to buy modern expensive samples.
One should not expect that any foreign state will order the modernization of hundreds of infantry fighting vehicles. At the same time, several international contracts for more modest quantities of equipment may appear at once. Judging by the available data, Basurmanin is able to interest potential customers from third countries.
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Often, projects for the modernization of existing armored vehicles are distinguished by excessive novelty and widespread use of promising units that are not yet in the series. The new Russian project BMP-1AM "Basurmanin" cannot be attributed to this category. Unlike other domestic and foreign developments of its kind, one of its goals was to simplify the modernization as much as possible and reduce the cost of work.
The result was a utilitarian armored vehicle, consisting exclusively of ready-made components. Despite this architecture, it has advantages, at least, over the basic model, and in a number of characteristics it can be compared with the later technology. The hands-on approach has produced remarkable results.
As you can see, the tasks set by the project were successfully solved, thanks to which a very remarkable model of an armored combat vehicle appeared. According to known data, there are already several BMP-1AM of the first batch. In the near future, several of the following machines will undergo the necessary restructuring. Time will tell what will happen next. There is every reason to expect that in the medium term, a significant amount of Basurman will appear in the armament of Russia and some foreign states.
