| BMD-4 | |
|---|---|
 A BMD-4 "Bakhcha-U" at the 2008 Moscow Victory Day Parade | |
| Type | Infantry fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin | Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2004–present |
| Used by | Russia |
| Wars | Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1990s |
| Manufacturer | Volgograd tractor factory Kurganmashzavod (since April 2024)[1] |
| Produced | 2004–present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 13.6 t (15.0 short tons; 13.4 long tons) |
| Length | 6.36 m (20 ft 10 in) (gun forward) 6.1 m (20 ft 0 in) (hull) |
| Width | 3.11 m (10 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 2.45 m (8 ft 0 in) |
| Crew | 3 |
| Passengers | 5 |
| Armor | Turret: Steel Hull: Aluminum alloy |
Main armament |
|
Secondary armament | |
| Engine | BMD-4: 2V-06-2 water-cooled diesel engine BMD-4M: UTD-29 multi-fuel diesel engine BMD-4: 450 hp (331 kW) BMD-4M: 500 hp (368 kW) |
| Power/weight | BMD-4: 33.1 hp/tonne (24.3 kW/tonne) BMD-4M: 37.0 hp/tonne (27.2 kW/tonne) |
| Suspension | Hydropneumatic suspension |
Operational range | 500 km (310 mi) (on paved roads) |
| Maximum speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) (on paved roads) 45 km/h (28 mph) (on rough terrain) 10 km/h (6.2 mph) (in water) |
The BMD-4 (Russian: Боевая Машина Десанта-4, romanized: Boyevaya Mashina Desanta-4, English: Combat Vehicle of the Airborne) is an amphibious infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) originating from post-Cold War Russia.[3][4] Originally designated as the BMD-3M, the chassis of the BMD-4 is the same as that of the BMD-3 because it was developed on the same basis. This armored fighting vehicle is one of the lightest in its class, possessing a substantial amount of firepower. The vehicle was designed to transport Russian Airborne Troops (VDV), increasing its mobility, armament, and protection on the battlefield.[3]
Many components of the vehicle, such as the ergonomics and positioning of the passengers, remain relatively unchanged. Primary differences between the BMD-4 and its predecessors lie in its armament. The vehicle is fitted with the Bakhcha-U turret, which consists of a 100 mm 2A70 low-pressure rifled gun, a 30 mm 2A72 coaxial autocannon, and a 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun. The 2A70 rifled cannon is capable of firing high explosive fragmentation rounds and laser-guided anti-tank missiles. It also features secondary weapons designed to engage and destroy enemy infantry and armored fighting vehicles. The automated fire control system of the vehicle is advanced with new features that simplify the use of the vehicle's armament by the gunner and commander.[5]
The vehicle is designed by the Volgograd tractor factory and the armament was developed by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau unitary enterprise located in Tula. Kurganmashzavod is the official manufacturer of the vehicle. The BMD-4 entered service in late 2004 and has been produced ever since then. In 2008, a modernized version, designated as the BMD-4M, was introduced with significant contributions from Kurganmashzavod, the designer of the BMP.
- ^ "Urals defense firm boosts armored vehicles output 20%". TASS. 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ "Kurganmashzavod from Russia presents BMD-4M2 new variant of airborne infantry fighting vehicle TASS 12304171 | weapons defence industry military technology UK | analysis focus army defence military industry army". www.armyrecognition.com.
- ^ a b "BMD-4 BMD-3M Bakhcha airborne infantry combat armoured vehicle". Army Recognition. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
- ^ "BMD-4 (BMD-3M) Airborne Infantry Fighting Vehicle". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
- ^ "KBP Instrument Design Bureau – Bakhcha". KBP Instrument Design Bureau. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.