The 57th Infantry Brigade has received a modernized BMP-2 with a BM-7 Parus remote weapon station.

The brigade’s press service released footage of the new equipment.

In addition to the new combat compartment and module, the upgraded combat vehicle also received new lighting equipment and ladders for simplified infantry landing.

Such profound structural changes could only be made by specialists at a specialized enterprise as part of a major overhaul or modernization.

Replacement of the BMP-2 turret

The Kharkiv Morozov Design Bureau was developing a similar project to replace the archaic BMP-1 turret with a BM-7 remote weapon station before the full-scale Russian invasion.

The installation of the Parus with a modern fire control system, digital thermal imaging sights, and new artillery weapons significantly increases the firepower of the vehicle and the situational awareness of the crew.

However, this modernization also has obvious drawbacks. In particular, the vehicle does not have a separate hatch for the gunner, and the ceiling in his compartment is significantly lowered, which directly affects the possibility of comfortable work.

Militarnyi reported that in 2021, the design bureau demonstrated the turret installation process and the features of the prototype’s modernization to representatives of the National Guard. However, they were apparently not interested at the time, and the project did not develop.

BM-7 “Parus”

As recently reported, the Parus RWS continues to be produced as part of the BTR-4E. It has also been seen on other vehicles, including the modernized MT-LBV and BTR-70.

Its peculiarity is that the weapon system and ammunition are completely separated into individual modules. The isolated combat compartment contains only the operator and the system control panel.

The BM-7 is equipped with a ZTM-1 30mm automatic cannon, an AG-30 automatic grenade launcher, and a 7.62mm machine gun.

The Barrier anti-tank missile system with a two-missile launcher is usually also integrated into the combat module. However, the modernized BMP-2 and a number of other vehicles do not have this ATGM.