- Yes
- No
Introduction:
Between 2003 and 2005 two South African defence firms ATE International and IST Dynamics were contracted by the Algerian army to upgrade their BMP-1 and T-72M1 tanks. For this forum post we will focus on the BMP-1 upgrade. For testing and evaluating the upgrades in South Africa, the defence firms utilised one of the numerous BMP-1 vehicles which was captured during the South African Border War. For the upgraded BMP-1 a new unmanned turret was developed, equipped with a 30mm cannon, ZT3 Ingwe ATGM launcher, 40mm grenade launcher and a 7.62mm machine gun. The unmanned turret also made use of thermal imaging sights, laser range finder and target tracking. After initial development and testing in South Africa, the modifications were then sent to Algeria for operational evaluation. Unfortunately, after evaluation ATE and IST was not contacted for the production of the BMP-1 upgrade. In 2006 ATE and IST would unveil the modified BMP-1 to the public for the first time at the 2006 African Aerospace and Defence expo (AAD) held at AFB Ysterplaat, in order to market it towards other countries which also operate the BMP-1. Sadly, due to limited interest for the BMP-1 upgrade from ATE and IST, the project was scrapped leading to the BMP-1 being donated to the South African Armour Museum in Bloemfontein where it is on display.
Specifications:
Main Armament: one 30mm cannon, three ZT3 ATGM’s
Secondary Armament: one 40mm grenade launcher, one 7.62mm MG
Crew: 3 (driver, gunner, commander)
Engine: Model V46-6, V-12
Horsepower: 780 hp
Gearbox: seven forward, one reverse
Top Speed: 66km/h
Hull Armour: (front: 19mm), (sides: 18mm), (rear: 16mm)
Thermal/Night sight: Yes
Smoke grenades: Yes
Spoiler
Primary Sources
Senior System Engineer: Pierre Thivend “ATE contact with Algerian Army” (page 3)
ATE/IST Information Board BMP-1 (2006 AAD)
South Africa Armoured Museum: https://www.saarmourmuseum.com/
Secondary Sources:
TankNutDave (South Africa BMP-1) The Russian BMP-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle - TankNutDave.com
Tank Encyclopaedia (BMP-1): Soviet BMP-1 IFV (1965)