BMD-2M enters state trials

The BMD-2M air-deployable infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) has entered state trials with the Russian Airborne Troops (VDV), the TASS news agency reported on 31 July, citing Russian defence industry sources.

The BMD-2M upgrade is designed to guarantee the capability to paradrop the IFV from an aircraft for the foreseeable future. (Russian MoD)

Russia’s Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) is in the process of upgrading a large number of BMD-2s to the BMD-2M standard under a contract awarded in 2017, which also includes BMP-2s, for a total of 540 vehicles. “During their upgrade, they are being equipped with the Bereg combat module [that is] unofficially dubbed ‘mini-Berezhok’. Now the BMD-2M’s new combat compartment is undergoing state trials,” TASS reported.

The news agency said the upgraded vehicles are expected to enter service in 2021, which is consistent with the original announcement of the contract in December 2018.

Jane’s reported at the time that the VDV planned to upgrade 600 BMD-2s, including BMD-2Ms and BMD-2K command vehicles.

The upgrade consists of the Bereg combat module, which is armed with a 2A42 30 mm cannon that is also the main armament of the original BMD-2. However, it also carries two launchers for the 9M113 family of Kornet anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) that can be fired from within the vehicle.

The turret is also fitted with thermal and day sights, as well as an automatic target tracker that is capable of tracking a target with an accuracy of 0.05–0.1 millirad, according to Jane’s Land Warfare Platforms: Firepower, Survivability & Mobility .

All sights and the 2A42 cannon are stabilised to improve the vehicle’s ability to fire on the move and altogether represent a theoretical improvement in capability over the original armament of the BMD-2.