BMPT Tank Support Combat Vehicle (Russia)
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 2023-01-12

The BMPT, sometimes nicknamed the Terminator, or Terminator 1, is a Russian armored vehicle, designed to support tank operations during offensive operations. Its main mission is to engage hostile infantry. It is a versatile anti-personnel vehicle that can engage multiple targets. The BMPT combat vehicles can change tactics of combat actions and significantly increase efficiency of tank units. Kazakhstan became first operator of this unusual combat vehicle. Three units of this tank support combat vehicle were delivered to Kazakhstan. It was planned that since 2015 this armored vehicle will be also produced in Kazakhstan. In 2017 this armored vehicle was spotted in Syria. During the same yrar Russian MoD ordered a first batch of over 10 BMPTs for trials and evaluation. These armored vehicles were delivered to the Russian Army in 2018. In 2021 the BMPT was declared operational with the Russian Army. It was announced that more of these armored vehicles are planned to be delivered in the near future. The BMPT was also exported to Algeria. In 2022 at least 9 Russian Army's BMPTs were used in combat in Ukraine.

The concept behind the BMPT is somewhat dated back to the Cold War. This vehicle was designed for offensive operations. Its main role is to spot and neutralize hostile anti-tank teams and other troops. This armored vehicle is also more suited for operation in urban areas. In Ukraine the Terminators operated alongside a group of tanks and were used to brake through Ukrainian defensive lines. Though during their first battles one of these vehicles was reportedly destroyed and another two were damaged.

Hull of the BMPT has similar level of protection as main battle tanks. However turret of the BMPT is not that protected as tank's turret. This armored vehicle has a built-in passive and explosive reactive armor. Newer versions are fitted with Relikt explosive reactive armor. Interior is fitted with Kevlar lining which protects against spalling once the armor is penetrated. Vehicle is also fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.

The BMPT has a new turret with externally mounted armament. It is fitted with two 30 mm cannons, two remotely controlled AGS-17D or AGS-30 30 mm automatic grenade launchers, four Ataka-T anti-tank missile launchers and one coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. The 30 mm cannons have a dual-fed system and can fire a wide range of ammunition, including HE-T, APDS, HE-FRAG and AP-T rounds. The Ataka-T missiles can be fitted with tandem HEAT, HE-FRAG or thermobaric warheads. The Ataka-T has a maximum range of 5 km. Vehicle can engage three targets at the same time, as each weapon is aimed separately. The BMPT is better suited than tanks for operation in urban areas. Its guns have a high elevation angle and can engage hostile troops located on upper floors and rooftops. In many cases tanks could not do that due to their limited gun elevation.

In 2021 Russian military was testing 30 mm programmable ammunition for this armored vehicle.

Computerized fire control system of the BMPT uses proven components of the T-90 main battle tank. Vehicle is equipped with thermal imagers. It can engage targets under day or night conditions.

This tank support vehicle has a crew of five, including commander, driver and three gunners.

The BMPT uses complete hull of the T-90 main battle tank. Vehicle is powered by a new V-92S2 multi-fuel diesel engine, developing 1 000 horsepower. In the future the BMPT might be fitted with the V-99 diesel, developing 1 200 horsepower. It is also fitted with auxiliary power unit, which powers all systems, when the main engine is turned off. Vehicle has a built-in self-entrenching blade and can be equipped with a mine plough or mine rollers.

Price of the BMPT is equivalent to two modern Russian main battle tanks.

BMPT-72, or Terminator 2. It was revealed in 2013. It is a conversion of the T-72 main battle tank into tank support vehicle. It has a new unmanned turret. Vehicle crew was reduced to three men by removing 30 mm grenade launchers. All T-72 tanks can be converted in the BMPTs. The idea was to convert ageing T-72 tanks into capable fire support vehicles by simply replacing their turrets. The BMPT turret can be also integrated on the hull of the and other older Soviet tanks, such as T-55 and T-62.

In 2017 a new variant of the BMPT emerged in Syria. This combat vehicle was based on a T-90 main battle tank. It had re-arranged and shielded missile launchers, hence resembled the BMPT-72. However it had a crew of 5 and retained the two 30 mm automatic grenade launchers of the original BMPT. Russian MoD ordered this variant for production. In 2017 a first batch of 10 combat vehicles was ordered for the Russian Army. These were delivered in 2018. Such version was also exported to Algeria.