Chris F Foss takes a closer look at Indonesia’s Marine Corps BMP-3F tracked vehicle – specifically modified for amphibious operations. The Indonesian Marines are displaying one of their latest Russian Kuganmashzavod BMP-3F infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) at Indo Defence 2016.
The BMP-3F is very well armed, fitted with a two-person turret with a 100mm gun that fires both conventional natures of ammunition and a laser-guided projectile (LGP). This has a maximum range of 5,000m and is fitted with a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead to neutralise targets fitted with explosive reactive armour (ERA).
Mounted co-axial with the 100mm gun is a 30mm cannon and a 7.62mm machine gun (MG). A 7.62mm MG is additionally mounted in either side of the bow firing forwards. The BMP-3F is optimised for amphibious operations and is propelled in the water by two powerful water jets mounted either side under the rear of the hull.
A lightweight anti-surge vane has been fitted around the front of the turret. Prior to entering the water, a trim vane is erected at the front of the hull, bilge pumps activated and a telescopic snorkel erected on the right side to the rear of the turret. The BMP-3 is one of the best selling Russian armoured fighting vehicles and in addition to being sold to Indonesia in the BMP-3F configuration, sales of the standard BMP-3 have been made to many countries.
