BMPT The BMPT " Ramka " ( Russian : Боевая машина поддержки танков , " Boyevaya Mashina Podderzhki Tankov " , " Tank Support Fighting Vehicle " ) is a new Russian armored vehicle designed to support tank and infantry operations , primarily in urban areas . This vehicle is sometimes nicknamed the " Terminator " . A small number were delivered to the Russian army for evaluation beginning in 2005 . Design history . The concept of a vehicle which supports main battle tanks is not new , as in the 1970s the Germans designed the " Begleitpanzer " ( escort tank ) . It however never entered production due to a lack of interest at the time . ] The history of the Russian BMPT can be traced back to the First Chechen War . Using conventional armor during urban engagements , Russian forces suffered heavy losses in manpower and equipment . While these losses cannot be entirely blamed on technology , it became clear that a dedicated anti - personnel fighting vehicle would provide valuable assistance in an urban environment . Self - propelled anti - aircraft ( AA ) guns were pressed as a temporary solution in Chechnya . However , these vehicles are not well - armored and do not possess the same obstacle - clearing capability as a main battle tank ( MBT ) . Therefore it was envisioned that the new combat vehicle should be built on a tank chassis and offer the same or better protection as an MBT . The protection of the BMPT is superior to most MBTs , as active and passive protection is used , and additional armor ( the vehicle lacks a manned turret ) , is distributed to the hull of the vehicle . There have been several different designs , for instance the Ob ' yekt 193A and the Ob ' yekt 745 . A mock - up of the Ob ' yekt 199 was shown for the first time in public at the BTVT - 1997 exhibition . This vehicle was slightly different from the current design , being armed with only a single 30mm gun and with Kornet missiles . The production model of the BMPT was developed in 2002 Description The BMPT is based on the chassis of the T - 72 which is used in large numbers by the Russian Army and has been manufactured under license by many other countries . The rear of the driver ' s compartment , at the front of the vehicle , has been raised , providing greater internal volume . A new mount is equipped with two 30 mm 2A42 dual - feed cannons with a cyclic rate of fire of up to 600 rds / min . A total of 850 rounds of ready use ammunition can be carried . The cannon can fire a wide range of ammunition types including : High Explosive - Tracer ( HE - T ) , Armour - piercing discarding sabot ( APDS ) , High Explosive Fragmentation ( HE - FRAG ) and Armor - Piercing - Tracer ( AP - T ) . A 7 . 62 mm machine gun is mounted coaxially with the main armament . Four launchers for the Ataka - T anti - tank guided missile ( ATGM ) , which can fire a variety of different warheads , are mounted on either side of the main armament . These include a tandem HEAT warhead to defeat targets fitted with explosive reactive armour . To enable the BMPT to engage targets in both day and night conditions and when the BMPT is stationary or moving , a computerized fire - control system is fitted . It uses proven elements from those fitted to the T - 90 MBT . The commander is equipped with a panoramic sight B07 - K1 , the gunner has a B07 - K2 sight with optical and thermal channels and a laser rangefinder . The two operators for the AG - 17D each have an " Agat - MR " day / night sight . As an option , the BMPT can be fitted with mine - clearing devices such as the KMT - 7 or KMT - 8 mine sweepers . T - 72 tanks can be converted into BMPT . Armament ' The armament includes : · two 30 mm 2A42 dual - feed cannons with 850 rounds · two AG - 17D 30 mm grenade launchers with 600 rounds · four launchers for the 130 mm 9M120 - 1 Ataka - T ATGM · one 7 . 62mm machine gun PKTM with 2 , 000 rounds · 2x5 81mm smoke grenade launchers · additional weapons can be installed The vehicle is protected by passive and reactive armour .