Image source: topwar.ru
The Ukrainian army adopted an infantry fighting vehicle of its own design, for the first time new armored vehicles were seen at the front in early June of this year. As it turned out, the "new" BMP was developed on the basis of the Soviet tracked multipurpose tractor MB-LB.
The developed infantry fighting vehicle was named BMP-1LB. Its main purpose is the delivery of personnel to the line of contact, participation in hostilities is excluded due to insufficient reservation remaining from the MT-LB. At the same time, a remotely controlled combat module with a large-caliber KPVT machine gun is installed on the car.
With the help of this BMP, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine planned to mechanize all newly created brigades and compensate for the shortage of armored vehicles in already fighting units.
Image source: topwar.ru
As the Ukrainian military themselves admit, the car turned out to be "so-so". Firstly, for its production, the hulls of old MT-LB conveyors are used, which rust in large quantities in settling tanks. For the production of BMP, they are disassembled, parts are replaced and reassembled, repainting outside and inside. However, the quality of work is very low, the machines go to the troops with assembly defects. Secondly, the engines do not pass the required run-in and they are often wedged. Very strong vibration when moving.
There is virtually no armor, it protects only from small fragments, so additional sheets are welded onto the body, thereby weighing down the car with already low characteristics. There are also big claims to the combat module, which was made open, which is why dirt constantly gets into the machine gun, and the cartridge supply system is wedged for the same reason.
It is stated that the landing compartment accommodates 7-8 people in equipment, a large door allows you to leave the car relatively calmly. The crew consists of three people: a mechanic-driver, a gunner-operator of weapons and the commander of the car. The mechanic and the commander must remove the bulletproof vest in order to leave the car. Otherwise they won't get through the hatch.
The Ukrainian military themselves criticized this BMP, but sometimes it's better to go badly than to go well. So as a means of delivering personnel, it is suitable, unless it breaks down.
