Tankopedia
Late Cold WarLightIFVSoviet Union

BMP-2

In service 1980 - In service

Infantry fighting vehicle, not a tank: the BMP-1's successor, rearmed with a stabilised 30 mm autocannon in a two-man turret.

Built byKurgan Machine Works

BMP-2
MKFI · Public domain

Development history

Afghanistan exposed the BMP-1's weaknesses - a low-velocity gun that could not elevate at hillside targets and a one-man turret that overloaded the commander. The BMP-2 answered both with a high-elevation 30 mm cannon and a two-man turret, keeping the amphibious, air-portable hull. It became the standard Soviet and later Russian infantry vehicle, was built under licence in India and Czechoslovakia, and has fought in almost every conflict since 1980.

Variants

One canonical record, 4 recorded variants.

  1. BMP-2D

    1982

    Afghanistan pattern with appliqué hull and turret armour; amphibious capability deleted

  2. BMP-2K

    1980s

    Command version with extra radios and a generator

  3. BMP-2M Berezhok

    2005

    Russian upgrade with Kornet missiles, automatic grenade launcher and thermal sights

  4. Sarath (India)

    1987

    Indian licence production by Ordnance Factory Medak

Notable actions

  • Soviet-Afghan War
  • Gulf War
  • Chechen wars