Armored vehicles - Russian 'Terminator' will participate in Victory Day parade
The Russian army will deploy the BMPT tank support armored vehicle for the first time in the May 9 parade in Moscow.
|
BMPT-72 tank support armored vehicle. Photo: Tass |
The Russian Defense Ministry plans to deploy seven BMPT-72 tank support armored vehicles, nicknamed "Terminators," to participate in the May 9 Victory Day parade on Red Square. 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 guns with 850 rounds. The 2A42 can fire high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) anti-infantry or armor-piercing anti-armored vehicles at a rate of 1,200 rounds per minute.The large elevation angle allows the BMPT to raise its gun barrel high to fire at fire points on high-rise buildings, including targets hiding behind obstacles.
BMPT also has 4 9M120 Ataka-T guided anti-tank missiles with a range of 6 km, which can penetrate armor equivalent to 800 mm of homogeneous rolled steel after penetrating explosive reactive armor.
|
A BMPT-72 deployed to the Hmeymim base in Syria. Photo: Southfront |
The secondary armament of the BMPT includes 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 concentrated or isolated infantry, 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 a main battle tank, resistant to 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.
