Russian Army Receives New BMP-3s With Additional Protection and Electronic Warfare

The Russian military has received a batch of new BMP-3 IFVs equipped with additional protection, including counter-drone systems.

Russian state corporation Rostec made the announcement on December 2.

Rostec reported that Vysokotochnye Kompleksy (High Precision Systems) holdingsupplied the vehicles , complete with multi-component add-on armor and electronic warfare equipment.

Russian officials say the upgrades are intended to improve the BMP-3’s survivability on the modern battlefield. This is the sixth officially delivered batch of BMP-3s this year.

The vehicles come standard with anti-cumulative grilles, armor screens, and upper-hemisphere protection kits. These kits are delivered with the vehicles and installed by frontline units.

Rostec also said each BMP-3 received Nakidka, a signature-reduction kit made from synthetic heat-insulating and radar-absorbing material.

The corporation said armored-vehicle production is running around the clock, with continuous updates based on combat experience.

BMP-3

The Soviet/Russian BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle is armed with a 100 mm 2A70 cannon/launcher, a 30 mm 2A72 automatic cannon, and a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun. It is designed to transport troops to the frontline, improve mobility and protection, and operate alongside tanks in combat.

Last spring, Russian forces were seen using a BMP-3 fitted with the Cactus explosive reactive armor kit.

It is intended to improve the survivability of Russian light armored vehicles against Ukrainian strike drones widely used along the front line.

In May, the Vysokotochnye Kompleksy holding announced the start of state trials of the BT-3F armored personnel carrier, developed on the basis of the BMP-3.