BMP-II ICV “Sarath”: The Chariot of Victory

Yontzee · July 20, 2023, 2:51am

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BMP-II ICV “Sarath”: The Chariot of Victory

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Disclaimer: There is limited imagery pertaining to the BMP-2M (SB4-3).

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BMP-II ICV Sarath, or BMP-2 Sarath’s during a military parade.

Basic Description :
- The BMP-2 Sarath is an Indian variant of the BMP-2 Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) that has been manufactured under license by the Ordnance Factory Board in India. The BMP-2 Sarath was first introduced in service with the Indian Army in the early 1990s. The Sarath was developed as a modified version of the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle to meet the specific requirements of the Indian Army, and it has since become an important and widely-used armored vehicle in the Indian military. The manufacturing of the BMP-2 Sarath in India began in 1987 and it was formally inducted into the Indian Army in 1992. The BMP-2 Sarath is a versatile and effective ICV that is armed with a 30mm automatic cannon, a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, and a 9Sh119M1 missile launcher to fire Konkurs-M anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), capable of punching through armor behind explosive reactive armor (ERA). An upgrade integrated the 9P135M-1 to provide night capabilities for the ATGM launcher. The Sarath can also carry up to seven fully equipped infantry soldiers in addition to its crew of three. The BMP-2 Sarath is well-suited to a variety of roles on the battlefield, including troop transport, fire support, and reconnaissance. Since then, the BMP-2 Sarath has several modernization programs focused on enhancing its capabilities and keep it relevant on the modern battlefield. Three main variants of BMP-2 Sarath have been derived from these programs. For this suggestion, we will focus on the base BMP-2 Sarath and the upgraded models unveiled at the DefExpo2020 developed by Ordnance Factory Madek which utilizes Elbit System’s Thermal Imagers for both the Gunner and Commander of which over a 150 were ordered, and a further development of this same model dubbed the BMP-2M which utilizes the same imagers as well as integrates the AVsion PALM 120 loitering munition and a Spike ATGM launcher.
- One modernization from the Ordnance Factory Medak incorporates a new fire control system, integrating EL-OP optical sights for both the Gunner and Commander, providing situational awareness and night operation capability, a crucial missing standard on Indian Army ICV’s.
- The AVision Loitering Munition, or the PALM 120, and Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) are both advanced weapon systems that provide significant advantages to the BMP-2 Sarath and other armored vehicles. PALM 120 is a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is designed to loiter over the battlefield and provide real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to the operator. The AVision is also capable of carrying a small explosive payload that can be used to engage and destroy enemy targets, such as armored vehicles or personnel. The PALM 120’s ability to loiter over the battlefield and provide persistent ISR capabilities makes it a valuable asset for the BMP-2 Sarath and other armored vehicles, as it can help to identify and engage targets that may be difficult to detect with other sensors. The Spike ATGM is a highly accurate and effective weapon system that is designed to engage and destroy armored targets at long ranges. The Spike is a fire-and-forget missile, which means that it can be launched and then guided to its target without requiring the operator to maintain a line of sight. The Spike is also equipped with advanced guidance systems, such as a fiber-optic data link and an imaging infrared seeker, which allow it to penetrate even the most advanced armor protection systems. The Spike’s long range and high accuracy make it a valuable addition to the BMP-2 Sarath’s armament, as it can engage and destroy enemy armored vehicles from a safe distance. The vehicle that includes these new mechanics received the nomenclature, BMP-2M.
- In conclusion, the BMP-2 Sarath is an Indian variant of the highly successful BMP-2 Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) that has been manufactured under license in India. The Sarath has undergone several modifications and upgrades to meet the specific requirements of the Indian Army, and it has become a versatile and effective armored vehicle that is well-suited to a variety of roles on the modern battlefield. The Sarath is armed with a 30mm automatic cannon and a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, and it can carry up to seven fully equipped infantry soldiers in addition to its crew of three. The Sarath has undergone several modernization programs in recent years, which have included upgrades to its thermal imaging systems and the integration of advanced weapon systems such as the AVision loitering munition and the Spike anti-tank guided missile. Overall, the BMP-2 Sarath remains an important and capable armored vehicle in the Indian military, and its ongoing modernization programs ensure that it remains relevant and effective in the years to come.
Specifications:
- Role: Infantry Fighting Vehicle
- Origin/Manufacturer:
  - India - Ordnance Factory Medak
- Armament:
  - Primary: 2A42 30mm Autocannon
    - Cartridge: 30x165
    - Ammunition:
      - FSAPDS-T(?)
      - 3UBR8 APDS-T
      - 3UBR6 AP-T
      - 3UOR6 HEF-I
      - 3UOF8 F-T
    - Feed System:
      - Dual-belt Fed
  - Coaxial: PKT 7.62mm Machine Gun
  - Roof-Mounted:
    - Standard:
      - 9Sh119M1 (or 9P135-1) Missile Launcher:
        
        Konkurs-M
        
        Warhead: Tandem HEAT
        
        Penetration: 800mm of RHA behind ERA
        
        Diameter: 135mm
        
        Weight: 26.5kg
        
        Propulsion: Single-Stage Solid Propellant Rocket Motor (and Booster)
        
        Range: out to 4km
        
        Guidance: Wire-guided
        
        Max Speed: 208m/s
    - Israeli Modernization:
      - MELLS-ATGM/SPIKE-LR
        
        Warhead: Tandem HEAT
        
        Penetration: 700mm Penetration behind ERA (Tandem HEAT)
        
        Weight:
        
        Propulsion: Solid-propellant Rocket
        
        Diameter: 130mm
        
        Range: 200-4,000m
        
        Guidance: Fire-and-Forget/Infrared Homing
      - AVision PALM 120 Loitering Munition
Dimensions:
- Length: 6.735m
- Width: 3.20m
- Height: 2.40m
- Weight: 12.8t
Mobility :
- Max Speed: 65km/h (7 km/h afloat)
- Transmission: Manual (5-Forward, 1-Reverse)
- Suspension: Torsion Bar
- Engine: 300hp - UTD-20/3 6cyl Diesel Engine
Crew:
- Commander
- Gunner
- Driver
Additional Features:
- 6x 81mm Smoke Grenade Launchers
- ESS
- Amphibious
- IR Searchlight
- Armor:
  - Same layout as standard BMP-2.
  - Could integrate the BMP Urban Survival Kit, or BUSK, however it was not adopted.
- Optics:
  - Standard BMP-2 Sarath:
    - Gunner: 1PN22M Sight
      - Passive IR Sight
    - Commander: TKN-3B
      - Passive IR Periscope
    - Driver: TVNE-1
      - Passive IR Periscope
  - Upgraded BMP-2 Sarath/BMP-2M:
    - Gunner: EL-OP Thermal Imager
      - 3rd-generation Thermal Imager
    - Commander: EL-OP Thermal Imager
      - 3rd-generation Thermal Imager
    - Driver: TVNE-1
      - Passive IR Periscope
In-game :
- The BMP-2 Sarath has undergone many changes that impact its capabilities in-game. The base BMP-2 Sarath acts similar to the in-game BMP-2 with the exception of the lack of the BMP-2D armor upgrade and addition of the Konkurs-M ATGM capable of punching through the armor of most vehicles in-game. This missile has slower speeds making it susceptible to being shot down by small-caliber fire. Next is the BMP-2 Sarath Upgrade which features all the same capabilities of the base BMP-2 Sarath with the addition of 3rd-generation thermal imagers for both the Gunner and Commander. Lastly is the BMP-2M which is the same as the BMP-2 Sarath Upgrade but further includes a Spike-LR launcher and AVision loitering munition launcher, offering a unique capability to the game. These vehicles could upgrade to one another such as the BMP-2 Sarath has a Tier IV modification to upgrade to the BMP-2 Sarath Upgrade, or the BMP-2 Sarath Upgrade to the BMP-2M.
Sources:

Imagery

Spoiler

BMP-2 Sarath

BMP-2 Sarath’s during a military parade.

India_starts_modernization_of_BMP-2_and_

Other images of the BMP-2 Sarath and BMP-2K Sarath.

BMP Urban Survival Kit (BUSK) concept.

https://youtu.be/PNLzB4w4Gko

Video of the BMP-2 Sarath.

Upgraded BMP-2 Sarath and BMP-2M

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An upgraded BMP-2 Sarath featuring new 3rd-generation thermal imagers for the Gunner and Commander.

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More images of the vehicle.

A further upgraded BMP-2 Sarath, or in some cases the BMP-2M, modernized to be equipped with new Commander and Gunner Sight’s, AVision Loitering Munitions, and the Spike-LR Missile.

TI BMP-2

The last modernization topic, the TI BMP-2 featuring 18-camera mount and see through armor technology.

https://youtu.be/i_nBlOY25-c

Video covering the TI BMP-2 modernization.