The BMPT "Terminator" refers to an armored fighting vehicle (AFV), designed and manufactured
by the Russian company. This vehicle was designed for supporting tanks and other AFVs in urban
areas. It was unofficially named the "Terminator" by the manufacturers. This terminator or the
Boyevaya Mashina Podderzhki Tankov (BMPT) is based on the widely used T-72 main combat tank design.
It was developed using battle experience from the Soviet–Afghan War
and the First Chechen War. Prior to the development of the present BMPT,
several prototypes of a tank support combat vehicle were constructed. The Object 199 "Ramka"
was the prototype for the current BMPT, with Uralvagonzavod as the official manufacturer.
Beginning in 2005, a small number were delivered to the Russian Ground Forces for evaluation.
The Terminator was finally ordered by the Russian Defense Ministry in August 2017.
While in early 2018, deliveries of more than ten vehicles started. Followed by December 1st,
2021, the Russian Federation's Armed Forces deployed the first BMPT company of nine combat
vehicles into one of the tank regiments of the Central Military District's tank division.
The version, unofficially dubbed the "Terminator-3,"
incorporates the chassis, hulls, and components of the T-14 Armata tank.
The history of the BMPT's development can be traced back to the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
Combat experience during the lengthy war revealed that infantry fighting vehicles like the BMP-1
and BMP-2 cannot fully cope with manpower despite the latter having a high gun elevation.
Although main battle tanks (MBTs) possessed a high amount of firepower, the limited elevation
and depression of the main gun made them easy targets in mountainous and urban terrain.
Talking about the mission it goes through, when used in urban terrain,
each main battle tank is deployed with two BMPTs. Outside of urban warfare that ratio
is reversed with one BMPT protecting two main battle tanks. This results from the complexity
of fighting in urban terrain and the need for a versatile anti-personnel platform
that can engage multiple targets at once and on different height levels. The deployment of such
a vehicle reduces the stress of urban fighting for MBTs and can relieve them of some of the workload,
allowing them to focus on their primary mission of targeting other MBTs and hardened targets.
When talking about its armaments, this terminator is equipped with four Ataka
ATGM launchers as a set of primary armaments againts enemy tanks and infantry. Only one
missile is carried for each of the launchers without any additional ones stowed away.
Two ATGM launchers are located on each side of the turret and traverse a complete 360°
in sync with the turret. This tank also has an additional set of primary armaments consisting
of two 30 mm 2A42 autocannons. A total of 850 rounds of ready use ammunition can be carried.
These twin autocannons have a combined fire rate of 600 rounds per minute.
This vehicle is also fitted with a fire control system. A computerized fire-control system is
installed to allow the BMPT to attack targets in both day and night settings,
and while the BMPT is stationary or moving. The sight of the gunner includes a thermal channel,
an optical channel, a guided ATGM channel, and a laser rangefinder.
The field of view sight has an independent stabilization in two planes.
The sights provide detection of targets at ranges up to 7,000 m in inclemeent weather conditions.
The protection of the BMPT is superior to most MBTs, as active and passive protection is used,
and additional armor (the vehicle lacks a turret), is distributed to the hull of the vehicle.
The BMPT is fitted with additional ERA, on the front and sides. The side skirts are
equipped with dynamical protection and latticed screens, which provides protection against RPGs.
According to the characteristics of protection boards, the BMPT outperforms the T-90 tank.
Unlike the T-90, protection from anti-tank weapons
are also provided towards the sides and the rear of the vehicle.
Considering other features mounted in this tank, the Terminator’s latest upgrade
is equipped with fragmenting ammunition which is essential to target the enemy
infantry which lies in wait to destroy the tanks. Information
in public domain also reveals that increased gun elevation provides for engaging top
floors of buildings in urban environments and also low flying aircraft or drones. The manufacturer
claims that a single Terminator can replace two conventional BMPs and an infantry platoon.
The Terminator has a crew of five consisting of a vehicle commander,
a driver, a gunner, and two grenade launcher operators. NBC protection is provided to
the crew to ensure survival against radiation, chemical and biological weapons. As an option,
the BMPT can be fitted with mine-clearing devices such as the KMT-7 or KMT-8 mine sweepers.
Regarding its operational sites, western military analysts believe that Russia developed
the Terminator after identifying the need to provide dedicated protection to main battle
tanks it used during the Afghan and the Chechen wars. The tank support vehicles are designed to
protect the Russian tanks against enemy infantry. They are basically a replacement for mechanised
infantry troops in the urban battlefield. The high-level of attrition suffered by the Russian
tanks in the ongoing war in Ukraine due to the use of anti-tank weapons provided by the West
appears to have pushed Russian military commanders to induct the Terminator. The move is aimed
at providing close protection to the Russian armour from Ukrainian tank-hunting infantry.
According to the latest intelligence bulletin released by the British Ministry of Defence on
the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia’s BMP-T Terminator tank support vehicles
have likely been sent to the Severodonetsk axis of the Donbas offensive.
According to the British appreciation of intelligence inputs and several independent
sightings of the Terminators, their presence suggests that the Central Grouping of Forces
(CGF) is involved in this attack which is the only Russian army formation fielding this vehicle.
For the updates, it is unknown how many Terminators Russia presently has in service.
However, in late 2021 Russia added 10 to a tank regiment of its Central Military District.
Some Western analysts mentioned that the deployment of several of the rare fighting
vehicles is a sign of "frustration" from the Kremlin, while Russian commentators have
praised their use as an example of the depth of Russia's arsenal. In any case, the presence
of Terminators in the Donbas, where advanced anti-tank weaponry awaits the Russian advance,
is certainly a gamble. The Russian military's carefully crafted image of
"invincibility" would take a further beating if the Terminators fare poorly in Ukraine.
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