Russian Army to get over 60 Kornet Missiles-armed BMP-2 IFVs in 2020

The Russian Army will receive over 60 BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles armed with Berezhok combat turrets to fire Kornet anti-tank guided missiles, in 2020.

“More than 60 BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles with the Berezhok combat unit will enter the Ground Wax units. The inhabited two-seater combat compartment Berezhok is a classic BMP-2 turret, but with an updated weapon system. It has an improved combined sight with an independent stabilization system for the line of sight in two planes, a television and laser rangefinder channels, as well as an anti-tank guided missile guidance channel,” the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement Sunday.

“The Berezhok module adds more firepower to the BMP-2 IFV,” a source told Defenseworld.net on Wednesday.

The BMP-2M IFVs are equipped Kornet ATGMs (Kornet-EM and Kornet-HE missiles have a range of 10km), 2A42 30-mm automatic gun, AG-30M 30-mm grenade launcher and 7.62-mm PKT machine-gun. The automatic guns and grenade launchers have a range of 4km and 2.1km respectively. The upgrade includes integrating new R-168-25U-2 radio station for classified communication for increased protection against interception and decryption of radio data, and to resist interference.

Designed by KBP company that has also built the Pantsir air defense system, the Berezhok weighs between 2.8-3.3 tons. It has four ATGM tubes, while the normally such modules have only one or two tubes.

“Berezhok provides the vehicle with the ability to fire two missiles with minimum intervals. As with the AGS-30M grenade launcher, it can hit targets on the reverse side of the slope. It can be fitted into armored vehicles and can also be used as a stationary weapon,” the source added.

One of the potential customers for the Berezhok is India which has several BMP-2 IFVs. The Army has also hinted at an upgrade, according to the local media.