Rostec’s Kuban 163rd plant repaired a record number of BMP-2 IVFs
MOSCOW, RUSSIA — The Russian company Rostec announced that in March the 163rd Kuban repair plant repaired a record number of BMP-2 IVFs. The 163rd repair plant Kuban is part of the Rostec holding. According to the press release, the armored infantry vehicles have already been handed over to the Russian army. Rostec announces that the number of repaired BMP-2s is a record in the entire operation of the vehicle.
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What neither Rostec nor the Kuban plant mention is the number of rigs repaired. But, if we trust the message from Rostec, then this repair confirms the great losses of Russia in its war with Ukraine.
The BMP-2 is one of the most common armored infantry vehicles in the world. The Russian army receives a modernized version of the BMP-2 with the “Berezhok” combat module. Along with the standard 30 mm 2A42 cannon and 7.62 mm coaxial PKTM machine gun, it is equipped with an automatic 30 mm grenade launcher with 300 rounds, as well as a Kornet missile system.
Ammunition problem
The BMP-2 does not always perform accurate shooting. A report by BulgarianMilitary.com last year revealed that the BMP-2 has an accuracy problem when using 30x165mm ammunition. They are used by the 30mm gun on the platform. Specifically the 3UBR8 APDS-T ammunition and possibly the 3UBR11 APFSDS-T ammunition.
According to the patent, the 3UBR8 APDS-T cartridge when firing at a distance of 100 meters, the deviation is one meter. Sometimes, says Russian patent RU 2 781 472 C1 the deviation from the aiming point is greater. According to analysts, it is precisely this problem that is the reason why the 3UBR8 cartridge is not so actively used in the hostilities in Ukraine by both sides. We remind you that not only Russia, but Ukraine also has and operates BMP-2.
Anti-cumulative modules
Last year, Rostec announced that it was starting the production of the BMP-3. At the moment, BulgarianMilitary.com has no information on how many BMP-3s were produced, whether they were produced, and if so, whether they were delivered to the Russian troops.
One of the main differences between BMP-2 and BMP-3 is that the third series will have anti-cumulative defense modules. According to Russian media, BMP-2, BTR-82A, and BTR-80 will soon begin to be equipped with additional protection.
About BMP
This armored vehicle was invented in the mid-1960s and has been in service since 1966. However, its production was discontinued in 1982. The crew consists of three people. It weighs 13 tons and is powered by a UTD-20, 6-cylinder 4-stroke V-shaped airless-injection water-cooled multifuel 15.8-liter diesel engine. Reaches 300 hp [224 kW] at 2,600 rpm.
The suspension is an individual torsion bar with hydraulic shock absorbers on the 1st and 6th road wheels. The fuel tank holds 462 liters and one full tank can cover 500 or 600 km depending on the road.
Soviet BMP-1 is armed with a 73 mm smoothbore weapon model 2A28, low-pressure gun, and short recoil, weighing 115 kg. The secondary armament consists of a 7.62 mm paired machine gun mounted on the right side of the main armament.
In late 2014, the Greek BMP-1 was fitted with the ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun in place of the standard tower. After successful acceptance tests, the conversion of 72 vehicles is planned with the remaining BMP-1A1s retired from service
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