Bulgarian company Metalika Ab Ltd has revealed a prototype of upgraded Soviet design BMP-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) during the HEMUS 2018 international defence exhibition held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, on 30 May-2 June.

Works on improvement of firepower, fire control, ergonomic and functional characteristics of the ageing Infantry Fighting Vehicle were carried jointly Ukrainian and Bulgarian specialists

The upgraded version of BMP-1 developed by Terem-Ivaylo Ltd, called the BMP-2+, was equipped with Ukrainian advanced fighting module “Shkval-M” developed by Ukrainian SE “Zhytomyr Armored Plant”. Combat vehicle is fitted with 30-mm cannon automatic cannon, grenade launcher, 7.62-mm machine gun and “Udar-M” guided missile weapons, designed to destroy enemy armor.

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The fighting module “Shkval-M” is equipped with 2A42 30-mm cannon, reinforced armour and modern sighting systems are equipped with a laser range finder and imager.

More: Ukraine acquires BMP-1AK infantry fighting vehicles from Poland

This system can automatically detect and track targets and is one of the elements of robotic combat modules. This system allows IFV to be used not only as a means of transportation and fire support, but as an autonomous remote controlled unit.