BMD-3
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The BMD-3 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta , ) is a light infantry fighting vehicle originating in the Soviet Union that is fully amphibious and air-droppable with crew inside. It is intended to be used by airborne and air assault units. It is not an upgraded BMD-1 but a completely redesigned vehicle with a hydropneumatic suspension, new hull, a more powerful 2V-06-2 diesel engine and fitted with the complete turret of the BMP-2.
The BMD-3 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta , ) is a light infantry fighting vehicle originating in the Soviet Union that is fully amphibious and air-droppable with crew inside. It is intended to be used by airborne and air assault units. It is not an upgraded BMD-1 but a completely redesigned vehicle with a hydropneumatic suspension, new hull, a more powerful 2V-06-2 diesel engine and fitted with the complete turret of the BMP-2.
Overview
While still intended to be transported and airdropped by transport aircraft, the BMD-3 is bigger and heavier than its predecessors.
Crew
The BMD-3 is operated by three crew members. The driver is situated in the hull, while the gunner and the commander are in the turret. Thanks to its bigger size, the BMD-3 can carry up to seven dismounts, compared to five for the BMD-2. They are located around the turret basket. If the vehicle is intended to be airdropped, its capacity falls to four dismounts.
Turret
The BMD-3 has the same turret as the BMP-2.
Armament
The BMD-3 is armed with one stabilised 30 mm 2A42 autocannon with 500 rounds, with elevation angles up to 75°, and one coaxial 7.62 mm PKT machine gun. It also has a 9P135M missile launcher for 9K111 Fagot and 9M113 Konkurs ATGMs. An RPK-74 5.45 mm machine gun is placed on the right-hand side of the hull, while an AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher is placed on the left-hand side.
Mobility
The BMD-3 is powered by a 450 hp 2V-06-2 engine. Its maximum speed is 70 km/h on roads, and 45 km/h cross-country. The BMD-3 is amphibious, with a maximum speed of 10 km/h on water. A new parachute system was specifically designed for the BMD-3, in order to cope with its higher weight.
Operators
Current operators
- 8 BTR-MDM "Rakushkas" have been captured from Russian forces during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. - Originally approved for serial production in 1990, under the Soviet Union, with up to 700 vehicles planned. Ultimately, only 137 vehicles were completed in eight years of production. The BMD-3 is no longer in service anymore, with production favouring the BMD-4M and BTR-MDM. In 2016 Russia had only 10 BMD-3 in service, alongside 100 BMD-1, 1,000 BMD-2, 42 BMD-4/4M, and 12 BTR-MDM. In 2022, prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia had approximately 1,000 BMD-2, 351 BMD-4M, and 122 BTR-MDM vehicles in active service. During the War in Ukraine, Russia is visually confirmed to have lost at least 315 BMD-2, 149 BMD-4M and 45 BTR-MDM.
Former operators
- The BMD-3 served in the Chinese Air Force Airborne Corps with limited numbers. Replaced by ZBD-03. - small number Ex-Russian BMD-3s exported to Angola
External links
FAS Military Factory Photos
Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376485507 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.