According to Chinese specialized military-technical publications, the Command of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Ukraine in mid-April 2022 relocated the Terminator-2 BMPT company to the combat zone. The unit was involved sporadically to perform various tasks on the front line with a reduced composition, in order to confuse enemy observers about the true number of BMPT-2s in the combat zone.
Chinese experts have detailed information about the process and difficulties in developing a tank support combat vehicle, since R&D on the creation of such equipment was discovered back in the USSR and has repeatedly undergone changes. It should be noted that although the final version of the BMPT practically does not change, Russian designers are in search of the optimal combination of chassis, engine and other elements.
So, in the process of improving the design and searching for the optimal option, BMPT-1 (on the chassis of the T-90 MBT, crew of 5 people), BMPT-2 (on the chassis of the T-72 MBT, crew of 3 people) and BMPT-3 (on the chassis of the OBT-3 with an 832KW V-92S2F engine) were created./1130 hp and with reinforced booking. In addition to the topic ) . The highest rating was given by Chinese designers and the military to the BMPT-3, since this combat vehicle received enhanced armor in the front and on the sides.
BMPT Terminator-2 on the streets of Donbass
As you know, the 90th Tank Division of the Central Military District of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation has one company (9 vehicles) BMPT-2 in service - this unit took part in the battles for Severodonetsk and Lisichansk, and currently provides support to motorized rifle units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation operating in the Seversk area, as well as in the direction of Slavyansk. According to the data received, as part of operations in April 2022 on the Donetsk front, BMPT was repeatedly involved in operations to destroy long-term firing points of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to experts from the Research Institute of Tactics of the National Academy of Military Sciences of the PLA, it is the Terminator-2 BMPT that is the best option for a combat vehicle. It is capable of supporting main battle tanks (MBT) during combined arms combat both in open terrain and in mountainous conditions or in urban areas, since the second and third aspects are characterized by increased complexity specifically for armored vehicles. It is the BMPT that can ensure the actions of both motorized rifle and armored units and reduce the number of losses from anti-tank fire. The Chinese side is aware of several cases of destruction of ATGM calculations of the APU during the use of BMPT.
Chinese analysts point out that due to the available armament samples, the BMPT-2 is comparable in total firepower to 2+ units of the BMP-2, which allows the use of "Terminators" in combined arms combat according to the 2 MBT + 1 BMPT scheme. When conducting combat in urban areas, the proportion should be built in reverse order of 2 BMPT + 1 MBT. According to the calculations of the Chinese military, 6 BMPT are capable of providing fire support and cover for a reinforced motorized rifle platoon of 40 soldiers while performing the minimum task of capturing an enemy platoon stronghold.
According to the requirements of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation S.K. Shoigu, the South and Center groups should increase the number of heavy armored vehicles and actively involve mixed groups from MBT and BMPT in combat operations to exert pressure on the AFU units occupying advanced positions. In this regard, Chinese experts note three main drawbacks that do not allow the commanders of these groups to fully use the positive properties of BMPT.
Firstly, UralVagonZavod produces the Terminator-2 BMPT in extremely limited quantities, since earlier the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation placed an extremely small order in its interests. On the contrary, the Armed Forces of Algeria and Kazakhstan acquired BMPT in much larger numbers. However, in this aspect, Chinese experts point out that the enterprises of the defense industry of the Russian Federation are able to ensure stable supplies of BMPT to units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation even under conditions of Western sanctions.
Secondly, since the Terminator-2 BMPT is capable of hitting a wide range of targets, in order to fully carry out combat missions, it is necessary to create a system of mobile MTO stations consisting of several trucks that allow replenishing ammunition (individual vehicles for transporting/storing ATGM, 2A42 cannon shots, ammunition for automatic grenade launchers AG-18D and PKTM machine guns).
Chinese experts highly appreciate the reliability of the BMPT-2 components and mechanisms and therefore suggest that the only vulnerability of this combat vehicle is its crew, who need rest when conducting high-intensity combat operations.
BMPT-2 has confirmed its high reliability
The reliability and effectiveness of the BMPT-2 have been confirmed as part of the experimental military operation of these vehicles during combat operations in the Syrian Arab Republic. Militants of various groups assigned the designation "Death Harvester" to the considered model of military equipment, since the BMPT, thanks to various weapons, destroys enemy manpower in open terrain with high efficiency.
Thirdly, for the effective use of BMPT as part of company or battalion tactical groups, it is necessary to conduct a significant number of training sessions at training grounds, during which issues of management, coordination and operational logistics should be regulated.
Hence, according to the calculations of Chinese experts, for the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation it is optimal to have one company of BMPT as part of a motorized rifle or tank battalion.
Based on the materials of Chinese specialized military-technical publications.
