BMT-72/BTMP-84

     Notes: These two highly-unusual vehicles are both HIFVs (Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicles); however, while most HIFVs merely use a tank chassis and hull modified into a heavy APC with perhaps a new turret armed with IFV-type armament, the BMT-72 and BTMP-84 go much further than this.  These two vehicles meld together a tank and an HIFV, carrying a small infantry squad and yet still retaining a modified form of the turrets of their parent tanks, and carrying a reduced load of standard tank main gun ammunition.  While this means that the space for the infantry squad is very cramped, and the squad carried is rather under-strength, the resulting vehicle has the virtue of being able to deliver a small squad of troops to assault a fortified position while having very heavy fire support.  The BMT-72 is based on a Ukrainian-built T-72M1 tank, while the BTMP-84 is based on the T-84 tank.  In both cases, the hull is lengthened by adding another roadwheel and lengthening the rear of the hull accordingly.  The turret, though it appears to be more forward on the resulting vehicle, is therefore actually in the same place as on the tank upon which it is based.  There are three hatches behind the turret, one which opens to the left, one to the right, and the center one, which opens against the turret.  Each has two vision blocks in them, which allow the troops inside to do little more than peek outside for a narrow-angle view.  The turret cannot rotate with the hatches open, and the hatches can be opened only when the turret is rotated forward.  Worse yet, the tank crew has no way to close these hatches from their position; if the infantry squad leaves them open, a crewmember must get out of the tank go to the rear deck, and close them to rotate the turret. The engine remains in the rear of the vehicle, and there are no firing ports or even a rear hatchway.  Steps are added to the rear fenders, and various hand and foot-holds are added to the rear and sides of the rear of the hull. These two vehicles are born of observation of the Russian experiences in Chechnya; they have been fielded by Ukraine only in small numbers, though they are offered for export (with no takers so far).

     The crew positions remain unchanged from their parent tank designs.  The infantry squad compartment is horribly cramped; along with the necessary equipment for the squad, five folding seats are squeezed in, two towards the turret bulkhead and facing away from it, and three on the opposite wall and facing toward the turret.  The troops are literally knocking knees with each other.  Most of the space in this compartment is taken up with space for their weapons, ammunition, gear such as radios, and perhaps some (very) small personal items. The infantry squad can at least take heart in that they are probably the best-protected infantry squad in the world when they are in those vehicles.  Night vision is not available to the troops other than what they are carrying. However, a long road march must be nightmarish. The compartment is also air conditioned and heated (as is the rest of the vehicle), and the compartment has an NBC overpressure system with a collective NBC backup.  In both cases, room has also been made for a 5kW APU to run the vehicle’s systems while the engine is off. Auxiliary fuel tanks are not carried – they are too big a risk to the infantry squad.

     The tank portion of the BMT-72 retains most of the features of the T-72M1, though as was mentioned before, the quantity of ammunition is reduced; essentially, the amount of main gun ammunition carried is only what is in the autoloader carousel, plus a few more stowed – 22 in the carousel and eight more stowed.  The BMT-72 also adds a few other features that the T-72M1 does not have, such as the ability to aim and fire the commander’s NSVT machinegun from inside the vehicle when it is buttoned up.  Six smoke grenade launchers are found on each side of the turret. Thermal imaging for the gunner has been added. The power pack of the BMT-72 is the same as used on the T-84 instead of using the T-72M1’s power pack; this is a smaller engine which, along with the lengthening of the hull, makes the addition of the infantry squad compartment possible, and provides 1200 horsepower.  Like the T-72M1, the BMT-72 has lugs for ERA on the turret sides and front, glacis, hull sides, and the forward third of the turret roof.  An inertial navigation system has been added; a BMS with GPS can be added upon customer request.

     The BTMP-84 is essentially a long T-84 with the addition of an infantry squad compartment; however, owing to the generally larger size of the base T-84 tank, the infantry compartment is a bit larger, and the rear deck is a little higher than on the standard T-84 as well.  Though this gives the infantry squad a little more breathing room, the primary use of the larger compartment is to carry more weapons, particularly things like breaching charges and more ammunition.  It otherwise conforms to the same general principles as the BMT-72, but in T-84 form. 30 rounds are in the carousel, with six more stowed.

* Turret roof armor and hull floor armor are 10Sp.