Armored vehicles - Russian 'Terminators' will participate in the Victory Day parade
The Russian army will deploy the BMPT tank support armored vehicle for the first time in the parade on May 9 in the capital Moscow.
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BMPT-72 tank support armored vehicle. Photo: Tass |
The Russian Ministry of Defense plans to send seven BMPT-72 tank support armored vehicles, also nicknamed "Terminators," to participate in the Victory Day parade on Red Square on May 9. This is the first time this type of armored vehicle has appeared in the annual parade in the Russian capital Moscow.Interfaxreport
The first BMPT version was launched by Russia in 2002, while the BMPT-72 model appeared in 2013 focusing on the export market. This vehicle line is built on the chassis of the T-72 main battle tank, helping to reduce production and operating costs, especially for customers who are familiar with T-72 tanks.
The basic BMPT model is equipped with two 30 mm 2A42 automatic cannons with 850 rounds. The 2A42 cannon can fire high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) anti-infantry or armor-piercing shells against enemy armored vehicles at a rate of 1,200 rounds per minute.The large elevation angle allows the BMPT to elevate its gun barrel to fire at high-rise buildings, including targets hidden behind obstacles.
BMPT also has four 9M120 Ataka-T guided anti-tank missiles with a range of 6 km, able to penetrate armor equivalent to 800 mm of homogeneous rolled steel after penetrating explosive reactive armor.
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The BMPT-72 is deployed to the Hmeymim base in Syria. Photo: Southfront |
The BMPT's secondary armament consists of two AG-17D automatic grenade launchers with 300 rounds each, and a 7.62 mm PKTM coaxial machine gun with 2,000 rounds. The powerful armament allows the BMPT to destroy small or clustered infantry forces, as well as many types of modern tanks and armored vehicles.
Not only possessing fearsome firepower, this vehicle is also equipped with thick armor equivalent to main battle tanks, able to withstand many types of anti-tank weapons today. Thermal imaging reconnaissance equipment and modern fire control systems allow the BMPT-72 version to effectively destroy targets from many kilometers away.
In the middle of last year, a BMPT-72 was deployed to Syria for testing. The Russian Defense Ministry has ordered at least 10 vehicles, the first of which is expected to be delivered in March this year.
