Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/661228
lynx armored car) and Tigr. Those factors made that due the lacking alternative of the bmd-4 and btR-mdm tracked vehicles, which are development variant of the previous models – the first one was officially adopted in 2008 and it is actually the bmd-3 bakhcha with the bakhcha-u turret (initially it was known as BMD-3M). Current modernization efforts are focused on improving mobility and perfomance of the new generation vehicles at the cost of their armor. Introducing those combat platforms was also forced by a technical degradation of the oldest bmd-1p/pK and bmd-2 vehicles, whereas the effects of their modernization pro- grams were insufficient (for instance, in 2009 VDV received more than 100 of the modernized BMD-2). Despite a fact that in 2005 the deliveries of bmd-4 vehicles were began, until 2008 (up to the moment when their production was ended) only one battalion was armed with those vehicles (in total, at that period was produced about 30 BMD-4s), although the plans assumed building of at least 64 vehicles for two battalions. A decision about a development of the new airborne fighting vehicle, which was an evolution of its previous types, simultaneously confirmed a continuation of the idea of the VDV development which assumed at least partial remaining airborne capabilities of the combat units together with a heavy equipment. Those vehicles, with more firepower, are supposed to have a capability to provide autonomous operations in the deep inside enemy territory without support from the other units. Both new vehicle families should have high level of mobility and firepower plus reduced weight. Consequently, a protection level was decreased in order to maintain air-drop and air transport capability (it was required that new combat platforms to meet the same requirements as previous vehicles). Those assumption caused that in 2008 was made a preliminary decision about de- veloping a successor of the bmd-4 bakhcha-u, under the bmd-4m sadovnitsa (Gardener) designation, with a new hull and drive system. A cancelation of program, and therefore breaking with an idea of heavy equipment air drop would be tantamount with a ANALYSIS