BMD-4 for Airborne Troops

In 2005 Russia's airborne troops (ABT) will get a new combat vehicle BMD-4 whose serial production has been put on stream. This was disclosed by Nikolay Staskov, Lieutenant-General, ABT Chief of Staff, on Monday. During the first 6 months of this year the initial batch of 10 vehicles would be delivered to training units for their personnel to master the use of the new equipment. Later on BMD-4 would be supplied to combat units.

According to Staskov, in 2005 the ABT would also get a new 125-mm self-propelled gun "Sprut-SD" and "a unique military equipment landing system". As a result of the technological re-equipment the combat ability of the troops would rise by 15-20 percent, he said.

As proposed by Alexander Kolmakov, ABT Commander-in-Chief, a paratrooper battalion of the new type would be additionally equipped with a system of missile volley fire based on the BMD-1 vehicle and a mobile anti-aircraft gun ZU-23 on the BTRD, as well as an 82-mm mortar. Among the prospective weapons which are yet to reach the troops, are the combat vehicle BMS-4 "Bakhcha" and the 125-mm self-propelled anti-tank gun "Sprut", which is actually a light amphibian tank.

The BMD-4 is equipped with two guns, caliber 30 and 100 mm, a powerful engine and a hydro-mechanical transmission which increases its mobility. The 100-mm gun can fire both shells and guided missiles.

In terms of its fire power, protection level and mobility, the BMD-4 has no world analogs in the class of combat vehicles weighing from 12.5 to 18 tons.

The crew may stay inside the vehicle while it is being parachuted during a landing operation. This would considerably reduce the time needed for the vehicle to get ready for combat use on landing.