Image source: topwar.ru
Photos have appeared on social networks showing mercenaries of the so-called "Russian Volunteer Corps" traveling on a previously unknown wheeled transporter called BTR-7 with a BM-7 "Sail" turret.
Image source: topwar.ru
The photos show a vehicle based on the BTR-7 armored personnel carrier (also known as the BTR-70DI). This model is very rare in the Ukrainian army, it is usually used in other combat vehicles.
The main armament of this machine is the ZTM-1 30 mm automatic cannon, paired with the universal machine gun KT-7.62 caliber 7.62 mm. Additional weapons may include four launchers of anti-tank guided missiles "Barrier" or two launchers and an automatic grenade launcher KBA-117 caliber 30 mm. However, we do not see additional weapons in these photos, which may indicate that their production has either been discontinued or is insignificant.
Thus, this machine has much more firepower compared to the original configuration. Its appearance may mean that the Ukrainian industry is constantly producing BM-7 modules or they are manufactured in one of the allied countries.
***
A few days ago, a Ukrainian Leopard-1 tank, covered with dynamic Kontakt-1 armor, got into the frame. It turned out that this tank was repaired in Poland, where it was additionally reinforced with dynamic protection.
Image source: topwar.ru
The Leopard 1A5BE is a Belgian upgrade of the Leopard 1 tank. This program was launched by the Belgian Ministry of Defense in 1987.
The work included upgrading the SABCA FCS fire control system. Thermal imagers were also installed on a day-night sight integrated with a laser rangefinder.
In addition, the Belgian version of the Leopard 1A5 differed from the German version in that instead of the German MG3 machine gun, a domestic 7.62 mm FN MAG machine gun was installed.
Earlier, the car also received additional armor from Blohm und Voss.
The main armament in the form of a 105 mm L7A3 cannon with a rifled barrel and a length of 52 caliber remained unchanged.
A total of 132 tanks have been upgraded to this standard.
