BRDM-2BF-97 "Żbik-b": A wild cat

Suggestions Ground
1
[Would you like to see this in-game?]
  • Yes
  • No
0 voters
[Which TT would you like to see it in?]
  • For Polish TT
  • For Other TT (explain)
  • Dont want ingame
0 voters

  • History: The BRDM-2 in Poland started out as you would probably expect, it was purchased by the PRL and it started service in the army in the late 1960s. In the 90s, it became clear that upgrades were needed and so a long line of Polish BRDM-2 programs took place. These upgrades were focused on the infantry variants, and anti tank variants were kept stock (9P133, 9P148). The first set was the BRDM-2M-96, then BRDM-2M-96ik “Szakal”, and lastly BRDM-2M-97 “Żbik”. There are even more sub variants for each the base 2M-96, the Szakal, and Żbik, but that was the premise of upgrades. All of them had a pretty basic upgrade plan, a 165hp Iveco Aifo 8040 (each variant had a different 8040 variant), upgraded electronics and sights, and NATO compatibility upgrades. The Zbik-b was the last fielded upgrade, and obviously the most well off, with a laser range finder, Obra-1 LWS, 6x Cytryn smoke grenades, and more. It also was able to carry various infantry equipment, like mortars and RPGs, as its intended purpose was a reconnaissance/cavalry scout vehicle. The subvariant BRDM-2B (I added -97 so it’s more recognizable) was just a Zbik-b with the 9P135M ATGM launcher. They have served in all recent Polish military operations, and are now being sent to Ukraine and replaced by the upcoming Bobr-3. As a final side-note before the statistics, it is worth noting that the BRDM-2M-96/97/98 had some interesting prototype models, such as a version with the ASRAD-R, a version with a Poprad turret, and a -98 version with a thermal camera and battlefield reconnaissance radar. A version with slat armor was also proposed for troops during Afghanistan, but this never went through and was only to be on the Szakal frame.

  • Armament:

    • Primary: 12.7mm NSW (480 Rounds)
    • Coaxial: 7.62mm PKT or UKM-2000C (2000 Rounds)
    • Secondary: 9P135M Launcher (4 Rounds, 9M111 or 9M113)

  • Armor:

    • STANAG 4569 Level 3 at best. (what did you expect)

  • Drive:

    • Engine: 165hp Iveco Aifo 8040 SCR 21.11
    • Max Speed: 90km/h
    • Has amphibious capability, although greatly reduced due to weight of upgrades

  • Crew:

    • Driver (NVG)
    • Gunner (NVG)
    • Scout
    • Commander (NVG)
    • Radioman (Zbik-B has a 5th crew position instead of usual 4, unclear what the position is for, but it is a permanent position, not a dismount position)

  • Dimensions:

    • Length: 6.29 m
    • Height: 2.43 m
    • Width: 2.425 m
    • Weight: 8 Metric tonnes

  • Gadgets and Gizmos:

    • SCC-1A Obra Laser Warning System
    • 6x 81mm Cytryn Smoke Grenades
    • ZPD 24/2 APU (If APUs are ever added to WT)
    • LNS laser rangefinder (This is technically a part of the dismount equipment, but due to how WT ties the LRF and LWS together it would have to work. At least it has a laser rangefinder on the vehicle.
    • Countless other quality of life improvements for crew and dismount team, wouldn’t work in war thunder but what could be added is a faster crew switching time incase of an unconscious crewman. (BRDM-2M-96/97 heavily improved space of the vehicle allowed for extra crewman and more dismount members)

  • Sources:

  • Pictures:

Spoiler

DISCLAIMER: VEHICLES WITHOUT THE 9P135 MOUNT TECHNICALLY ARE NOT THE BRDM-2BF. I STILL INCLUDE THEM AS PHOTOS AS THEY ARE THEY SAME VEHICLE, JUST WITH A SINGLE DIFFERENT ATTACHMENT.


This is a Zbik-B with add-on rubber “armor” could be added as a modification, but really more of as a joke, this wouldn’t stop anything, maybe 40mm heat but that’s it.

It’s hard to find a picture of the Zbik with an actual 9M111 or 113, this is because Poland has a shortage (if even any) of these missiles, because well they aren’t being made anymore/aren’t being made by anyone willing to trade weapons with Poland. This is why they have been phasing these soviet vehicles out, and why the new Bobr-3 will have NATO weaponry. The Polish 9P133/148s are going to be replaced by the Ottokar Brzorza which will have brimstones.

2 Likes
2

Sure might be neet like some of the other BRDMs
Dunno why you didn’t list the soviet TT as option because thats where soviet/russian vehicles should go

3

This is not soviet nor Russian, it was a Polish modernization project in the 1990s after the fall of communism in Poland to be on par with NATO standards and other armored reconnaissance vehicles of the time.

4 Likes
4

Would be a good vehicle for a Polish/Visegrad Tree at BR 7.7-8.0.
+1

2 Likes
5

Four ATGMs and a machine gun… Idk about that BR

6

Hear me out - 8.7. The Wiesel is 9.7 and performs great, and while this isn’t on the same level of that, it would still be a really good rat vehicle, and plus it does have some systems that would be a little too if seen at 6.7 or 7.0.

Also would play great into a lineup of vehicles at the br like T-55L. Would be too much at 10.0 and right now with the current matchmaker I can see this playing well at 8.7, possibly 9.0.

Remember ammo is no longer and issue for tank destroyers/light tanks because of the new ammo box feature

7

I keep forgetting about the BR changes for the M113 TOW, etc. that’s my reference vehicle, 8.3 max for it. Personally 8.0 since it has only 4x missiles and no tandem-HEAT warhead. At least it would have a supply box though.

8

I’d think lower. 9M113 are quite a bit worse than TOWs, and with less than half the ammo load. The BMP-1 is 8.0 with 4x 9M113, but also the 73mm cannon and of course much more armour. I’d think 7.3 or even 7.0.

1 Like
9

I’d mostly agree the only thing that makes me have it higher is the significantly higher mobility of the BRDM-2 platform when compared to tracked platforms. It will allow it to quickly relocate, scout, and flank targets. That’s what makes me have it at 8.0. If it was a lot slower, I could go with 7.7. Too low and it will be fighting WWII vehicles which it would annihilate.

What is Poland’s history of the 9M113M Missile? Have they ever used the Tandem-HEAT variant? That could also drastically shift it. I’d put it at like 8.3-8.7 with a tandem warhead.

10

I don’t think the BRDM-2 would be all that mobile. It’s a wheeled vehicle which means speed on roads but not offroad, especially with only 4 wheels. It should be of comparable mobility to the SdKfz 222- both have top speeds of 90km/h, 4 wheel drive, though the BRDM has 20hp/tonne instead of 18. But it also has a higher ground pressure which means worse floatation.

As for the 9M113M, I don’t think Poland ever used it. From my research Poland only received small numbers of 9M113, which were exclusively used on the BWP-2 and 9P148, so the Żbik-b would potentially be even limited to 9K111, which has less penetration at around 400mm. The BWP-1 definitely didn’t receive 9M113s, though it’s still possible that the Zbik did.

11

In that case I would place it at 7.3-7.7 since it would be limited against much of the armor at 9.3+.

1 Like
12

The BWP-2 was only limited to auto cannon, never received missiles. But I can assure that 9M113 was used on the Zbik. Additionally, gaijin has never really been concerned with can it use or not use on vehicles, (I.e. brimstones on italian and german EF, SDB on almost every top tier plane even though only a few nations use them and mostly use them of F-35).

I think if needed gaijin could add the 9M113M for balance, but the Zbik could and did use the 9K111 and 9M113 no question about that (maybe not anymore, but for sure did in the 90s and 2000s.)

13

I thought it did have them? It does have the launcher installed for it. Did they just never put missiles on it?