A BMP-2M upgrade worth upgrading more.

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 The BMP-2M had many variants, ranging from BMP-2M with Combat Module B05YA01 "Berezhok" to BMP-2M with Combat Module "Bakcha-U" to more uncommon variants that never saw the light of being accepted into the Russian Armed Forces.


BMP-2M with L-shaped support arm and additional armour protection on the sides

One of the more unknown variants was the BMP-2M with an automatic grenade launcher.
The firing capabilities were enhanced by installing a different weapon system. A 30mm AG-17 automatic grenade launcher is mounted in the turret rear on an L-shaped support arm with a vertical elevation mechanism. The AG-17 had the option to be controlled by 2 crew members. The gunner had the ability to aim the weapon system through his primary sight which was also linked to the main 30mm 2A42 gun. The commander also had access to the AG-17 but could control it through his 1PZ-13 sight, which had ranging markers that allowed the automatic grenade launcher to fire up to a maximum range of 1,730m. 


BMP-2M with L-shaped support arm without additional protection and dismounted PL-1 laser illuminator

 The vehicle is equipped with the BPK-3-42 combined binocular gunner's sight providing a range of vision of the side projection of a medium tank at night in an active mode of at least 1,300 m. The PL-1 laser illuminator is used as an infrared source for increasing the visibility range at night when using NV mode. To counter enemy tanks and other heavily armoured vehicles, the BMP-2M is fitted with the Konkurs-M second-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system. 

Complete  BMP-2M with the entire upgrade pack

The upgraded vehicles are equipped with the UTD-23 higher-power supercharged engine and a higher-performance running gear (road wheels with increased load-carrying capacity, increased rigidity torsion bars, higher-performance shock absorbers, and tracks with rubber pads). These engineering solutions have increased manoeuvrability, ride comfort, and the average speed of the vehicle. This was a necessary upgrade since the vehicle's weight increased drastically after receiving its additional weapon system and additional armour protection.  

Vehicle characteristics:

  • Combat weight: 16 tons 
  • Crew 3 
  • Engine: UTD-23 supercharged, four-stroke, 6-cylinder, high-speed, direct-injection diesel engine
Mobility: 

  • Paved road: 65km/h 
  • Water: 7km/h 
  • Rough terrain: 37km/h
  • Cruising range: approx 600km/h 
Weapon systems: 

  • 30mm 2A42 cannon 
  • 7.62mm PKT or PTKM
  • 30mm AG-17 automatic grenade launcher  

The currently mentioned BMP-2M variant with the AG-17 30mm automatic grenade launcher also received another upgrade on top of its already existing modification. 
One of the variants was planned to be shipped to the Russian Coastal Forces. 
It is a BMP-2M but with more additional upgrades.

The vehicle itself stayed the same but received some changes. Its main differences were the addition of additional armour in the form of slat armour which would be used against RPGs. Due to the even more increased combat weight, the design bureau decided to add additional flotation devices in the front of the hull and on the top of the slat armour. This would regain its ability to traverse waters. 

Side view of BMP-2M with additional slat armour and floatation devices

Sadly almost all BMP-2M variants were at some point declined and never really saw the light. Although only one BMP-2M variant made its way to the production line and its usage in the Russian Armed Forces. BMP-2M with Combat Module B05YA01 "Berezhok" was the only BPM-2M variant to be ever accepted. Maybe due to its combined gunner's sight and hunter-killer abilities or a more modern weapon system that featured Kornet ATGMs, it was chosen as the best variant which can be manufactured in large quantities.

Front view of BMP-2M with additional slat armour and floatation devices

Rearview of BMP-2M with additional slat armour and floatation devices

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