The soldiers of the 5th Heavy Mechanized Brigade have received modernized IFVs with the Ukrainian BM-7 Parus remote weapon station.

Footage of the firing of the new equipment was released by the press service of the 5th Heavy Mechanized Brigade.

The crews of one of the mechanized battalions conducted training firing on modernized PRP-3 reconnaissance vehicles, which were converted into a combat unit by installing a remote-controlled module with a 30 mm cannon, twin machine guns and an automatic grenade launcher.

In addition to the new weapons, the vehicles shown also received folding anti-drone structures that partially protect the upper projection from drops and FPV drones.

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The installation of a remote artillery module on the PRP-3 is a profound modification that requires a complete re-equipment of the vehicle’s combat compartment to accommodate the control panel and operator’s seat below the turret shoulder. In addition, the vehicle needs to be rebuilt to transport troops.

A similar modernization project for the BMP-1 was already being worked on by the Kharkiv Morozov Design Bureau before the full-scale Russian invasion.

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

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

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

These are the first APCs of this modification seen in service with the former 5th Tank Brigade, which was recently reformatted into a heavy mechanized brigade. However, they had previously been in service with the 57th Motorized Infantry Brigade.

Along with the modernized Soviet vehicles, the brigade continues to receive German Leopard 1A5 tanks, which are being equipped with a dynamic protection kit and anti-drone structures already in Ukraine.

At the same time, as part of international technical assistance, the 5th Brigade received American M60 AVLB tanks.