Ukraine Develops Unmanned BRDM-2M with Active Protection System Against Drones

ArmSpetsTechnology has presented a heavily modernized BRDM-2M armored vehicle capable of remote control.

The company’s director told Militarnyi that the vehicle was originally developed as an unmanned logistics platform designed to perform missions near the line of contact without risking the crew.

The concept allows a servicemember to independently drive the armored vehicle to a designated area, after which the vehicle switches to remote-control mode.

In this mode, the BRDM-2M can deliver ammunition, water, equipment, and other supplies directly to the front line.
A compact remote control unit is used for this purpose, allowing the operator to control speed, turns, and transmission modes.

“In general, it was developed as a logistics vehicle. The concept was that a person reaches the line of contact and needs to deliver ammunition, everything else that is required there, and water. They take the remote control in their hands and operate the vehicle remotely,” the company reported.

The operator sees the situation around the vehicle on a monitor and can fully control its movement.

During the modernization, the BRDM-2M received a new engine, gearbox, completely redesigned transmission, and additional armor protection around the entire hull.

For remote driving, the vehicle was equipped with a 360-degree camera system consisting of four cameras — front, two side, and rear.

A separate transmission control unit with modes similar to civilian automatic transmissions was also installed.

Combat Module

The demonstration vehicle is equipped with a remotely controlled combat module originally developed for heavy armored vehicles.

According to company representatives, the module is undergoing codification for the M113 armored personnel carrier and was installed on the BRDM to demonstrate the system’s capabilities.

The weapons are controlled using a separate remote control unit.

The combat module is equipped with day and night observation channels and is designed to mount a 12.7 mm machine gun.

According to the developers, the system lacks conventional weapon stabilization, in which the weapon continuously maintains aim on a target regardless of vehicle movement.

Instead, it uses a function that maintains a designated aiming sector. According to the company’s director, the system maintains a sector of approximately 20×20 meters at a distance of 100 meters.

This allows the operator to quickly adjust aiming and open fire.

Active Protection System

Special attention was paid to protection against drones during the modernization.

The hull already has mounting points for an active protection system (APS) specifically designed to counter drones.

According to the director of ArmSpetsTechnology, the system has been undergoing testing for about six months and has demonstrated strong results.

“It is currently in the testing stage. These tests have been ongoing for half a year, and we have very good results. When we finalize it, everyone will see it,” the company shared.

The vehicle can also be equipped with passive protection in the form of nets and grilles. According to the developers, the BRDM-2M will eventually receive a layered protection system combining active and passive measures.

The basic modernization package can also be supplemented with additional protection elements depending on customer requirements.

In particular, the military has already requested the installation of anti-fragmentation lining and additional mine protection for the bottom.

Prospects for Returning BRDM Vehicles to Service

According to representatives of ArmSpetsTechnology, the basic conversion of the BRDM-2M will cost up to UAH 4 million.

The remotely controlled combat module will cost up to UAH 3 million, while additional armor protection and mine protection systems will be paid for separately.

The company believes the modernization could return a significant number of BRDM vehicles, which are currently largely unused by the Ukrainian military, to service.

According to the company’s director, the military may have between 300 and 500 such vehicles.

After modernization, they could receive a “second life” and perform not only logistics but also combat missions in remote-control mode.