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BMPT-62: Algeria's Mini-Terminator
History:
Starting somewhere between 1975 and 1977 and ending in 1979, Algeria obtained some 330 T-62 main battle tanks as the newest member of their armored force. The T-62 was anticipated to be a replacement for the T-55 tanks in service at the time for the Algerian Land Forces, but things did not go according to plan. Despite being more advanced than the T-55, Algerian tankers wound up disliking the vehicle, and its advanced nature wasn't enough to outweigh the problems, especially given the rather weak nature of their enemies such as Morocco or local militias. The T-62 instead served as a secondary tank, with the T-55 remaining the primary armored unit. Soon this issue was exacerbated even more when Algeria bought its first T-72Ms. These tanks were superior in every possible way to both the T-62 AND T-55, and so the T-62 became the third horse in a two horse race.The T-62 was not taken out of service entirely, however, and continued to see the occasional attempt at modernization, though these never amounted to anything. T-72s and T-90s replaced the T-55 in frontline service, while the T-55 remains in service as fire support for mechanized infantry brigades, having been modernized to the T-55AMV standard, along with night vision, a new FCS, and even Ukrainian “Stugna” GLATGMs. All this time, the T-62 has mostly been used for rear patrol or simply kept in storage, a strange case of a perfectly good tank not being wanted or used. It seems some may have been shared with the Polisario Front of Western Sahara, but it is unknown how many.
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Algerian T-62s on parade.
These tanks sat around in storage or in rear echelons for decades, until a new concept was floated. By the new millennium, Algeria was once again modernizing its fleet of armor and purchasing new equipment. One of those pieces of equipment was the “Berezhok” turret of the BMP-2M. This turret found itself being bought in MASSIVE numbers by Algeria, as they had it attached to not only every single one of their BMP-2s, but almost every single one of their BMP-1s.
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A “Berezhok” turret training system in Algeria - 2018.
In addition to the “Berezhok” turret, around 300 BMPT-72 “Terminator” heavy IFVs were ordered, making Algeria the largest operator of this vehicle in the world - larger than Russia themselves! Experience with the BMPT-72 and “Berezhok” turret on their BMP-1M and BMP-2M vehicles gave them an idea, and the BMPT-62 (unofficial name) was born. Sometime between 2010 and 2020 the conversion process began, and on July 5th, 2022 the vehicles made their debut during the 60th Anniversary Parade of the Independence of Algeria. They have yet to enter service, but appear ready to do so.
Description:
The BMPT-62 (the name I will be using hereafter) is a heavy infantry fighting vehicle consisting of a largely unmodified T-62 hull with the turret having been replaced by the "Berezhok" turret of the BMP-2M. Both vehicles involved should be familiar to tankers in War Thunder (for better or for worse...), and the statistics copy over easily.The armor of the vehicle has not been enhanced or altered, save for some additional cage armor around the rear third of the tank which protects the engine area against RPGs. Side skirts have been added along the tracks as well. The biggest change is the addition of the new turret. This required a “collar” adapter which shrinks the turret ring to fit the smaller “Berezhok” turret. This creates a possible weak point, and armor values for this area are as yet unknown. ERA has also been suggested as a future addition by several sources, though this has yet to be implemented or confirmed for the future. If added, the likely choice would be Kontakt-5, as it is already found on many vehicles in the Algerian arsenal, such as the T-90SA, T-72M1, T-55AMV, and BMPT-72. If equipped, this would vastly improve the survivability of the vehicle, but that is yet to be seen.
The engine, transmission, and other mobility features remain identical to the T-62, though the vehicle is significantly lighter thanks to the new turret.
The turret itself is the exact same one fount on the BMP-2M in-game. Same 30mm 2A42 autocannon, coaxial 7.62mm PKT machine gun, roof-mounted 30mm AGS-30 grenade launcher, 9M133 Kornet ATGM launchers (two per side), and various sensors, night vision, gunner thermals, and smoke launchers. Ammunition load is also presumably the same, though exact numbers have not yet been released. The crew has been reduced to three, due to the smaller crew requirement of the “Berezhok” turret.
Specifications:
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Main Armament: 30mm 2A42 autocannon, 9M133 Kornet ATGM
Secondary armament: 7.62mm PKT machine gun
Tertiary Armament: 30mm AGS-30 grenade launcher
Armor: 100mm front (upper and lower), 80mm sides, 45mm rear, 30mm roof, 20mm floor, 20mm turret front, 16mm turret sides, 10mm turret rear, 6mm turret roof, 4mm spaced plates (on BMP-2M turret in game), turret collar: unknown, additional cage armor covering the rear third of the hull sides and back of the tank
Ammo count: 500 30mm rounds, 2000 7.62mm rounds, 300 30mm grenades, 8 missiles
Engine: ChTZ V-55V V12 Diesel, 518HP
Transmission: 5 forward gears, 1 reverse
Gun Movement: -4 degrees depression, +74 degrees elevation
Sights: Identical to in-game BMP-2M, NVD and gunner thermals included
Crew: 3 (Driver, Gunner, Commander)
Smoke: 6 smoke grenades (three per side on the turret), ESS from the T-62 hull
Gallery:
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