Russia’s Ministry of Defence has announced that troops of the Central Military District in Orenburg Region will receive upgraded BMP-2M infantry fighting vehicles.

“Upgraded infantry fighting vehicles will replace the BMP-1 and BMP-2,” the source of MoD said.

The Russian army will receive advanced version of Soviet-made BMP-2  infantry fighting vehicle fitted with the B05S011 guided weapon system (coded name Berezhok), fitted with four ready-to-launch 9M133 Kornet series of anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) in two twin launchers on each side of the turret as well as the standard 30 mm 2A42 cannon, an AG-30 automatic grenade launcher, and 7.62 mm PKT machine gun.

The new guided weapon system intended to destroy stationary and moving fielded and future main battle tanks, other armoured (IFVs, APCs) and small-size (like pillboxes and bunkers) targets, fortified assets, manpower under cover and in the open as well as aerial low-level targets flying at speeds of up 400 km/h in the day- and night-time and surface small-displacement vessels.

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Also, the upgraded BMP-2M will have a digital onboard computer coupled to the sensor suite, a thermal imaging automatic target tracker and an independent commander’s panoramic sight with independent dual axis stabilisation, as well as a TV camera and a laser range finder.

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According to the current information, Russia’s Ministry of Defence has signed a 10-year contract with Tula-based Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) for the delivery of 540 upgraded BMP-2 infantry and BMD-2 airborne fighting vehicles.