AT-P

     Notes: This ancient vehicle is primarily used to tow field guns and howitzers.  It has been largely replaced by the MT-LB, but the AT-P can still be found in some remote corners of the Third World.  The AT-P is basically an armored box on tracks, with the driver on the front left, a machinegunner on the front right, and the gun crew in the rear.  The crew compartment is open-topped, with only the driver, bow machinegunner, and commander enclosed.  The bow machinegunner mans an SGM machinegun in a ball mount, with excellent traverse.  He aims through a vision block.  The AT-P can tow up to 3.7 tons.

BMD-1

     Notes:  This is the counterpart of the BMP-1 used by Russian Airborne and Naval Infantry forces.  The driver is in the center front; the turret is identical to that found on the BMP-1, with a single hatch on the deck for the gunner.  The commander sits to the left of the driver and has a hatch; to the right of the driver is the bow machinegunner’s position, but he does not have a hatch and enters the position through the rear compartment.  The infantrymen exit the vehicle through a roof hatch; the engine is in the rear.  There are two firing ports in each side of the hull.  Most of these vehicles are armed with AT-3 Sagger ATGMs, but the BMD-1P version has the launching rail on top of the main gun deleted, and in its place there is a launcher beside the gunner’s hatch for an AT-4 Spigot ATGM.

BMD-2 Airborne Combat Vehicle

     Notes:  This essentially a BMD-1 chassis (though the vehicle is not a rebuild of the BMD-1) with a new turret armed with a 30mm autocannon.  (The proper designation of the BMD-2 featured in the Soviet Combat Vehicle Handbook is the BTR-D.)  The left side bow machinegun has been eliminated on the BMP-2, and the space formerly used by the machinegun and gunner is now used for equipment stowage.  There is a large hatch to the rear of the turret for missile reloading, as the commander’s hatch is too small to pass AT-4 or AT-5 missiles through.

BMD-3 Airborne Combat Vehicle

     Notes:  Not an upgrade, the BMD-3 features the complete turret of the BMP-2 fitted on to a new chassis.  Mounted on either side of the turret are three smoke grenade launchers.  To the left of the commander’s hatch is an externally-mounted AGS-17 grenade launcher; this is fed and fired from inside the turret.  Two of the five passengers are seated at the front, on either side of the driver; the other 3 are in the fighting compartment near the turret.  In an extreme case, up to 7 passengers may be carried.  Two firing ports are provided, one on each side of the vehicle, and a large overhead hatch is on the roof to the rear of the turret for passenger egress.  Russian Naval Infantry also uses the BMD-3.

BMD-3M Airborne Combat Vehicle

     Notes:  This is an attempt to give airborne and naval infantry forces the same firepower as their motorized infantry cousins.  It is a standard BMD-3 chassis, with suitable modifications, fitted with the turret of the BMP-3.  This allows use of the 100mm gun as well as the autocannon and machinegun. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: As these vehicles were being produced in mass as the Twilight War started, they are somewhat rare, generally being issued only one to a platoon.

     Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist.

BMP-1

     Notes:  One of the first true infantry fighting vehicles (an armored personnel carrier with significant antiarmor capability), the BMP-1 was introduced by Russian in the mid-1960s and first seen in public in 1967.  The BMP-1 features a turret mounting a 73mm cannon firing rounds similar (but identical to) those of the SPG-9 recoilless rifle).  On top of the gun barrel is a launching rail for an AT-3 Sagger ATGM; a later version of the BMP-1, the BMP-1P, has this launching rail removed and in its place a launcher for the AT-4 Spigot ATGM is mounted on the turret roof next to the gunner’s hatch.  An even later variant, the BMP-1G, is similar to the BMP-1P, but uses an AT-5 Spandrel launcher, and also has an AGS-17 grenade machinegun in front of the gunner’s hatch.  On the front left deck is the driver’s hatch, and behind that on the deck is the commander’s hatch.  The rear compartment has room for 8 soldiers, and each of them has a firing port, with a further two ports in the rear doors.  Those doors, each of which also carries a portion of the vehicle’s fuel, access the passenger area.  On the roof of the passenger compartment are two long hatches for the soldiers to use heavier weapons.  Like many earlier Russian vehicles, the autoloader on the 73mm gun tends to malfunction, trying to stuff the gunner’s left arm into the breech of the gun instead of a 73mm shell.  If this occurs, the gunner takes 1D6 damage to the left arm and requires 6 phases (30 seconds) to extricate his arm from the gun and replace it with a 73mm round.  For this reason, many BMP-1 crews disabled the autoloader before going into combat; BMP-1s with a disabled autoloader may fire the main gun every other phase instead of each phase of combat.  The BMP-1 was manufactured for over 20 years, and over 20 variants were made.

     The BMP-1KSh is an unarmed BMP-1 used as a forward command vehicle and mobile observation post.  Instead of weapons, in the turret are enhanced night vision gear and observation gear, a laser designator and rangefinder, and a video camera system.  Instead of passengers, the hull carries extensive communications gear (at least two long-range and two medium-range), a battle management computer with wireless modem, and inertial navigation gear.  The firing ports are retained and can be used for the crew's personal weapons. 

     The BMP-1M is a BMP-1 chassis with the turret replaced by the Kliver turret.  The Kliver turret is based on the turret mounted on the BTR-80A, but in addition has a 4-round launcher for the AT-14 Kornet ATGM.   These modifications were carried out starting in 1995 in an attempt to modernize BMP-1s and BVP-1s of Warsaw Pact countries, and while they were found with some regularity in Russian units and sometimes in Czech and Polish units, they were relatively rare elsewhere in the former Pact and almost never found in other countries' armies.  The appliqué armor that may normally be fitted to BMP-1 turrets cannot be fitted to the Kliver turret.

     Twilight/Merc 2000 Notes: As Notes, except that the BMP-1M does not exist in the Twilight 2000 World.

BMP-2

     Notes:  Though the hull of this version of the BMP is externally similar to the BMP-1, the interior of the BMP-2 is greatly rearranged to provide better ammunition storage, better passenger and crew comfort, and more efficiency and accuracy when fighting from inside the vehicle.  The turret is replaced by a 2-man version that mounts a 30mm 2A42 autocannon instead of the 73mm gun, and a roof-mounted launcher for either an AT-4 Spigot ATGM or an AT-5 Spandrel ATGM launcher.  (AT-5-armed versions are the more common in Russian and Pact service; AT-4-armed versions were more common in export models.)  The fighting compartment is a little smaller than that of the BMP-1 due to the larger turret, and only 7 soldiers are carried.  The BMP-2 is one of the most common armored vehicles in the world, in use by 30 countries, and can be found in most corners of the planet. 

     The most obvious change in the BMP-2M to someone looking at it is the addition of an AGS-17 grenade machinegun mounted externally on the left side of the turret.  The gunner, who may fire it after flipping a switch, controls this weapon.  The weapon is fed by a magazine mounted externally at the turret rear; as this magazine is difficult to access by the gunner or commander from their hatches, it is normally reloaded by the passengers in the rear compartment through their roof hatches, and the magazine holds 100 rounds of the total grenade supply.  The main 30mm autocannon is better stabilized and able to be elevated to 70 degrees.  Another addition is a thermal imager, which is also visible on the turret roof, and is actually a French design.  Originally designed for desert warfare, the BMP-2M is equipped with air conditioning.  The BMP-2M was originally designed for export to Middle Eastern client states like Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Afghanistan.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: These vehicles were fairly common in the Russian Army, comprising about a third of the BMP-2 forces of that country.

     Merc 2000 Notes: Most of these vehicles are built for export.

BMP-3

     Notes: This is one of the newer Russian IFVs, first seen by the West in a parade in Moscow in 1990.  It has a better-armored hull that lends itself to modification, and a turret armed with a 100mm rifled cannon, with both a 30mm autocannon and a PKT machinegun as coaxial weapons.  The driver is in the center front of the hull, with a member of the infantry squad on either side of him.  Five further squad members are in the rear passenger area.  The turret is two-man with a hatch on the deck for the commander and gunner.  There are hatches on the rear deck, and two doors on the rear of the hull.  The 100mm gun is a new design that does not use the ammunition of earlier Russian 100mm guns, and in addition, fires an ATGM with the NATO designation of AT-10.  To raise money, the Russians have been selling these vehicles all over the world, including to Cyprus, South Korea, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi. 

     The BMP-3F is a BMP-3 modified for use by Naval Infantry and other amphibious or Marine-type troops.  The BMP-3F is slightly lighter than the standard BMP-3, but the primary modifications for Naval Infantry use are a rearrangement of the components and interior to distribute the weight of the vehicle better in the water, stronger bilge pumps, a larger trim vane, and more powerful waterjets to make it faster in the water.  Door, hatch, and turret seals are also improved to prevent leaking.  The BMP-3F is more stable in the water, particularly in high surf and swells, and much more difficult to sink as long as holes are not blasted into it or a hatch is not left open.  The sensors are also behind waterproof windows or lenses.  Fire from the water is possible with all weapons, but at one higher level of difficulty.  The BMP-3F also has tow hooks on the upper rear hull to allow it to tow small boats or rafts. 

     The BMP-3K is a version of the BMP-3 is designed for commanders at company-level or higher; however, due to its late introduction, they were rarely issued below battalion-level.  They are basically a BMP-3 carrying more radios and electronics instead of the normal ammunition load.  The BMP-3K typically carries at least two and as much as 5 radios, a full intercom system for the entire command staff and crew, a full navigation system to allow inertial, standard, and GPS navigation, one or two battle management computers, and a wireless LAN that allows data, voice, video, or photographic transmission.  There is also a system that allows a link with AWACS-type and other monitoring aircraft as well as UAVs.  Finally, there is a 1kW generator to provide minimum power requirements while the engine is off.

     Like the BMP-2M, the BMP-3M is a BMP-3 modified after Russian experiences in Chechnya. In this vehicle, the armor is increased and modified, and in addition, the BMP-3M has lugs for reactive armor (TF, TS, HF, HS).  The fire control system is improved, and the armament can be elevated to 75 degrees.  Air conditioning is provided, and in some of the vehicles (perhaps 1 in 5), the BMP-3M is equipped with the Arena active defense system.  In this system, there are 10 small projectiles on the TF, HF, TS, and HS.  When the onboard sensors detect an incoming round of any type, one of these projectiles gets launched in the direction of the incoming round, and intercepts it on a roll of 12 in 20.  If the round is intercepted, it does no harm to the BMP-3M.  When all projectiles on a face are used up, the Arena system is useless against attacks launched from that direction. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The BMP-3M comprised about a fifth of all BMP-3s found in Russian service during the Twilight War, and most were used by unit commanders or scout elements.

BTR-50

     Notes:  This was one of the oldest APCs still in Russian service, still used by Russian and Pact Category III and Mobilization-Only units.  In addition to these Russian units, the BTR-50 was a quite common sight around the world, used by almost 30 countries.    Two versions were available; the BTR-50P is open topped, can carry more passengers, and is the rarer of the two (it is the first version produced, and most of them have fallen apart from heavy use); the BTR-50PK has overhead protection and is much more common by 2000.  The BTR-50’s chassis, engine, and transmission have about 60% parts commonality with the PT-57, PT-76, and PT-100 light tanks.  There is a hatch on the front deck for the driver, another for the commander, and two large hatches on the superstructure roof (one of which has a weapon mount).  There are no rear doors or ramp.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: One unusual user was the United States; they had a fair number of captured examples in OPFOR units stationed in Fort Irwin, California and Fort Polk, Louisiana, and these were pressed into use in the later stages of the Mexican invasion.

BTR-D

     Notes:  This version of the BMD-1 was first seen during the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in the early 1980s.  It consists of a stretched BMD-1 hull (6 roadwheels instead of five), without the turret.  It is used to carry large airborne and naval infantry squads into battle; another version is called the BMD-KShM and is used as a command vehicle for airborne and naval infantry units. The vehicle is armed with two bow machineguns and two pintle mounted weapons, normally machineguns or grenade launchers.  The BMD-KShM is distinguished by is clothesline rail antenna, and normally carries a smaller command staff and at least three radios.  It does not have the bow machineguns.  The BTR-D has three firing ports on each side of the passenger compartment and two on the rear of the vehicle.

KSHM

     Notes:  This is the command and staff counterpart to the BMP-T, being based on a tank chassis (the T-80U).  That is where the resemblance ends, however, as the KSHM is a vehicle with a raised hull to allow standing, a smaller and more powerful engine to allow a clamshell door on the left rear, a dozer blade up front for digging fighting positions and clearing obstacles, and a commander's station with a machinegun.  Like the TBMP, this vehicle was designed after the Russians' experiences in Chechnya.  These vehicles generally carry at least 4 radios, navigation equipment, and a battle management computer.

MT-LB

     Notes:  This vehicle was not originally meant to be an armored personnel carrier; instead, it was designed to be a versatile chassis that could be easily modified for a variety of roles, from artillery tractor to command vehicle.  There are almost 40 variants of the MT-LB in service worldwide today, including many APC variants; they are valued in that role due to their size and surefootedness on uneven terrain.  They also have a very good heating system, as one of the roles the MT-LB was designed for was to replace several over-the-snow vehicles used in Arctic and Siberian conditions.  The treads can be replaced with tracks almost twice as wide as normal for even better performance in snow and swamps.  On the front deck is a hatch for the driver and a small turret above the commander’s position with a machinegun.  Next to this small cupola is a hatch for the commander.  The base version also has two large hatches on the rear deck, two doors in the rear face, and four firing ports, one on each side of the passenger area and one in each rear door. 

     The MT-LB-6MB is a variant of the MT-LB was designed after Russian experiences in Chechnya.  The Russians needed a sure-footed, stable vehicle with decent firepower for the rubble-choked streets of urban battlegrounds.  To this end, they topped an MT-LB chassis with the turret of the BTR-80A, giving the vehicle an autocannon and machinegun. 

     The MP-21 is an ACRV (MT-LBu) chassis outfitted for use by commanders at division level and above.  As such, it is a rather rare vehicle, but very well appointed.  Also known as the 1V21, the vehicle is equipped with a computer suite that allows the commander to plot and track the positions of all subordinate details and zoom in on selected detail areas.  There is a complete land navigation system ranging from a compass to inertial navigation to GPS, as well as map software.  The MP-21 is equipped with no less than 5 radios, including 3 medium range, one long range, and 1 VHF very long range.  There is a large antenna that can be extended above the vehicle, a "clothesline" antenna, a 5kW generator, and a variety of command post equipment including a map board, a folding desk and 4 chairs, lighting equipment, a tent to be extended at the rear of the vehicle to double working space, office supplies, and other such equipment.      

     The SE (Sanitary Evacuation) version of the MT-LB is an armored ambulance.  In this version, the MT-LB carries extensive medical equipment, including a refrigerator for medicines and blood products, oxygen gear, a transfusion machine, a defibrillator, a heating blanket, at least one doctor's medical bag, splints, and medicines.  The machinegun cupola is retained. 

     In the late 1990s, Ukraine began marketing an upgrade kit for the MT-LB.  The kit converts the MT-LB into the MT-LBM, and consists largely of a one-man turret containing a 30mm autocannon and coaxial machinegun, along with smoke grenade launchers on the front hull.  The turret is largely external to the vehicle and can be easily added to existing MT-LBs with a minimum of modifications.  The kit also includes a fire-control system for the guns in the turret.  The engine is also upgraded to modern standards.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The MT-LB was in service throughout the Warsaw Pact during the Twilight War; ex-East German models were also sold to Sweden before and during the war, and were pressed into service by Germany.  Other users included Bangladesh, Finland, Iraq, and Yugoslavia.  The US also officially had about three dozen of these vehicles in working order during the Twilight War, in the OPFOR units stationed at Fort Irwin in California and Fort Polk, Louisiana.

     The MT-LBM was present in small numbers in the Twilight War, though it arrived late on the scene (around 1997).  It was used largely for protection of vehicle convoys and rear-echelon units.