A rare variant of the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle, the BMP-1TS, has been spotted in the ongoing conflict near Pokrovsk, Ukraine.
In Service or 60 Years
This updated model is part of Ukraine's efforts to modernize its aging military fleet, featuring significant upgrades that enhance its combat capabilities despite its older chassis.
The BMP-1 has been in service for about 60 years, and the BMP-1TS variant showcases a modern turret equipped with advanced weaponry. While the vehicle's armor remains vulnerable, its upgrades have made it a formidable adversary on the battlefield, according to WP.
The Ukrainian military began developing such modifications after the annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of conflict in the Donbas region, aiming to bolster their defenses against Russian aggression.
Enhanced Defensive Capabilities
At the heart of the BMP-1TS upgrade is the BM-5 Spisa unmanned turret, weighing just 1.5 tons but armed with a potent arsenal. It includes a 30mm ZTM-1 automatic cannon capable of firing up to 330 rounds per minute, a 30mm AG-17 automatic grenade launcher, and a 7.62x54R mm machine gun.
Additionally, it can launch two Barrier anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) with a range of up to 7.5 kilometers, designed to penetrate over 800mm of reactive armor.
To further enhance its defensive capabilities, the turret incorporates a drone jamming system that creates an interference bubble, hindering the effectiveness of enemy drones within a 400-500 meter radius.
However, the BMP-1's original hull offers limited protection, primarily against small arms and shrapnel, making it vulnerable to larger caliber machine guns such as the DSzK and Browning M2.
