Combat vehicles. Fire and speed: the best infantry fighting vehicles in the world The most powerful in the world? Yes

Horses have been the main means of transportation for soldiers since time immemorial. And if the first world war they somehow survived, then the Second - with its planes, tanks and guns - “wrote off” the cavalry completely. The horses were eventually left to the police and honor guards, and the soldiers were transferred to armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles. The advantages of the second - high speed and cross-country ability, the ability to “swim” across rivers and operate in conditions of the use of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear ones. Unlike armored personnel carriers, they can not only deliver infantry to the battlefield, but also support them with powerful rocket and cannon fire. RIA Novosti publishes a selection of the most popular infantry fighting vehicles of the armies of the world.

Soviet "two"

One of the most popular and honored combat vehicles, the BMP-2 is the “workhorse” of Soviet motorized riflemen. Structurally simple and unpretentious in maintenance, the amphibious BMP-2 more than once rescued its crew and troops in the hot situations of the Afghan war and other conflicts.

Mechanic driver of the BMP-2 during the tactical exercise "West-2017"

In 1981, the chief designer of the BMP-2, Blagonravov, and a group of specialists came to Afghanistan to see how his new vehicle was tested in combat conditions. The troops greeted him with delight. “We have a new infantry fighting vehicle with a “thirty”. This car is what we need: dushmans are afraid of it and call it “shaitan-arba,” said one of the officers at a meeting with the designer. It is believed that the command finally decided to adopt the BMP-2 for service precisely after this episode.

The main feature of the BMP-2 is the weapon stabilization system in two planes. This distinguished the “two” from foreign analogues and allowed for targeted fire on the move. Armaments include a rapid-firing 30-mm 2A42 automatic cannon with dual-belt selective feed, a coaxial 7.62-mm PKT machine gun, and a Konkurs or Fagot anti-tank guided missile launcher. The hull is welded from rolled sheets of durable steel armor, thermomechanically treated. The six-cylinder diesel engine “inherited” from the BMP-1 accelerates the 14-ton vehicle to 65 kilometers per hour on the highway.

War vehicles infantry (BMP-2)

Inside there is room for seven paratroopers and three crew members. The powder gas suction system saves soldiers from poisoning when firing from machine guns through loopholes. To prevent radioactive dust or gases from entering the machine, a filter ventilation unit is provided, creating overpressure. The BMP-2 and its numerous modernized versions are still in service with the armies of dozens of countries around the world.

From the creators of "Tiger"

The German BMP "Marder" is one of the most successful examples of post-war armored vehicles Western Europe. Since the late 1960s, German industry has produced more than two thousand such machines for the Bundeswehr. A durable steel body made from sheets of rolled armor welded at certain angles reliably protects three crew members and seven paratroopers from bullets and shrapnel. The BMP was developed by the Rheinstahl-Henschel company, known for its Tiger tank.

The first modifications included a Daimler-Benz multi-fuel turbocharged diesel engine with a capacity of 600 horsepower. This was quite enough to accelerate the tracked vehicle on the highway to 75 kilometers per hour. The modernized infantry fighting vehicles are already equipped with a 1000-horsepower unit.

German infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) "Marder"

The main weapon of the Marder is a 20-mm Mk20DM5 Rh202 automatic cannon with a rate of fire of up to 1000 rounds per minute. They are used for shooting at infantry and vehicles. high-explosive fragmentation shells, to combat enemy infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers - armor-piercing sub-caliber ones. The latter, at a distance of up to one and a half kilometers, confidently penetrate armor two fingers thick at an angle. To combat enemy personnel, there are two 7.62 mm MG3A1 machine guns: one is coaxial with the cannon, and the second is mounted on the stern.

German infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) "Marder"

The "Marders" were modernized many times. To increase their firepower, they were equipped with Milan anti-tank guided missile systems, and to enhance protection, additional mounted armor and mine screens were installed. The BMP received its baptism of fire in Afghanistan. The "Puma" was developed to replace the "Marder" - a new combat vehicle that is already being delivered to Bundeswehr units.

Puff Bradley

Heavy infantry fighting vehicle M2 "Bradley" entered service American army in 1981 and immediately gained popularity among the infantry. First of all, because of its unprecedentedly high armor protection for this type of vehicle. Its peculiarity is the screens made of steel of different hardness spaced apart from each other. Such " layer cake"Confidently withstands hits from 30mm armor-piercing shells. To protect against cumulative RPG grenades, dynamic protection can be installed. The upgraded vehicles are additionally lined with Kevlar inside, which protects the crew of three people and six paratroopers from armor fragments in battle.

At the same time, the “Bradley” is quite “nimble” - thanks to a powerful turbodiesel, the 22-ton car “runs” along the highway at a speed of 70 kilometers per hour. An impressive set of weapons includes a 25 mm M242 cannon, a 7.62 mm M240C machine gun, an anti-tank missile system TOW and six M231 assault rifles on ball mounts in the troop compartment. Thus, in battle, an infantry fighting vehicle instantly turns into a mobile checkpoint bristling with trunks. The TOW complex “works out” tanks at a distance of up to three kilometers.

US M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV)

The landing group can leave the Bradley through the top hatch or, which is valuable in battle, through the rear ramp, shielding itself from enemy fire with the body of the vehicle. In total, the Americans managed to “stamp” about seven thousand of these infantry fighting vehicles. They were successfully used in the Iraq War and other armed conflicts.

US M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV)

English "Warrior"

The British infantry fighting vehicle MCV-80 Warrior is a real knight in heavy armor made of rolled sheets of aluminum-magnesium-zinc alloy. Combined protection protects the crew and troops from large-caliber machine-gun bullets and shrapnel. The reinforced “belly” can withstand the explosion of a 10-kilogram anti-tank mine, and there are anti-cumulative screens on the sides. However, this massive body kit does not prevent the infantry fighting vehicle from accelerating to 75 kilometers per hour.

By analogy with later versions of the American Bradleys, the habitable internal compartments of the Warrior are covered with a special material that holds armor fragments that fly off when hit. It was also not deprived of weapons: it has a 30-mm L21A1 automatic cannon, a coaxial machine gun, and a 94-mm LAW-80 grenade launcher. The infantry fighting vehicle can accommodate three crew members and seven paratroopers.

British infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) "Warrior"

In total, more than a thousand “Warriors” were produced for the British Army, many of them managed to take part in local armed conflicts. The car proved to be extremely indestructible. There is a known case when it withstood hits from one and a half dozen anti-tank grenades.

French character

The floating “Frenchwoman” AMX10P is one of the lightest infantry fighting vehicles in the world. Developed in the 1970s, the vehicle is welded from sheets of aluminum armor and is similar in layout to the Marder and the Soviet Deuce. The sheets can withstand hits from large-caliber machine-gun bullets, but most likely they will not save the crew from cannon armor-piercing shells and cumulative grenades.

Infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) of France AMX-10P The remote turret installation includes a 20-mm M693 automatic cannon and a coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun. The gun fires 700 fragmentation or armor-piercing shells per minute and is effective at a range of up to one and a half kilometers. Some infantry fighting vehicles in service with the French army are equipped with Milan anti-tank guided missiles. A spotlight is installed to illuminate targets at night.

It is interesting that the French did not cut loopholes in the sides, limiting themselves to seven periscope viewing blocks. The “heart” of the car - the eight-cylinder diesel engine HS-115 - does not differ in power and develops only 300 horsepower. However, it is enough to accelerate a 14-ton car to 65 kilometers per hour. The AMX10R BMP gained combat experience in the early 1990s, during the war in the Persian Gulf. In total, about two thousand units were produced.

French infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) AMX-10P

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the completion of testing of the new BMP-3M Dragoon infantry fighting vehicle. This means that having undergone deep modernization to a state of practically new development The model will soon be put into mass production.

As reported in the military press, the Americans have already included this infantry fighting vehicle in the list of the most powerful infantry vehicles, because the specific power of its engine is the largest in the world.

The most powerful in the world? Yes. And the best

Strictly speaking, American analysts from the think tank of the US military-industrial complex - RAND - included the Dragoon in the list of the four most powerful infantry fighting vehicles in the world. But in fact, there is nothing behind this except the pathetic barbaric manner of hiding US defeats under a heap of camouflage nets. Here, too, the American M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle with engines with power from 500 to 660 horsepower, and the French VBCI infantry fighting vehicle with an engine of 550 horsepower were attached to the Russian infantry fighting vehicle. and the Italian infantry fighting vehicle VCC-80 Dardo - with 512 hp.

The BMP-3M Dragoon is powered by a multi-fuel supercharged gas turbine engine UTD-32 (albeit on a stand, but this does not fundamentally change the picture) of 816 hp.

That is, it is no longer one of the four, but the first of the most powerful.

In the same way, the Dragoon wins the correspondence competition in terms of specific engine power (that is, power per unit mass) - 38 hp. per ton. Accordingly, the notorious American M2 Bradley with its ridiculous 19.74 hp/t is only in fourth place after the German "Puma" - 34.59 hp/t and the British FV510 "Warrior" - 23.5 hp. s./t.

This indicator depends on the weight of the machine. The Dragoon has a chassis weight of 15.5 tons, that is, with all body kits, a maximum of 20 tons. Experts talk about 19 tons in the basic version. Colleague "Bradley" initially pulled 23 tons, and in the modern modification M2A3 SSS reached 34 tons.

Another consequence of this: the Dragoon BMP swims well: it can walk on water for 7 hours at a speed of 10 km/h. "Colleague" overcomes water obstacles more slowly - 6 - 7.2 km/h, while the buoyancy reserve is extremely small and is enhanced only by deploying additional watercraft in the form of canvas covers. The speed is 70 and 66 km/h, respectively, and the range is 600 and 480 km.

In general, the Bradley doesn’t hold up as a car even to a competitor.

Does it pull like a combat vehicle?

The district stage of the all-army competition "Suvorov Onslaught-2017" in the Khabarovsk Territory. Photo: Yuri Smityuk/TASS

An infantry fighting vehicle is not a tank. But…

An infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) is similar to a small tank: tracks, armored hull, turret with a cannon. It differs from an armored personnel carrier (APC), which is on wheels, has a smaller gun, and a thinner turret. In general, an armored personnel carrier is a vehicle for transporting personnel, and an infantry fighting vehicle is for transportation and cover in battle. And even to break through the enemy’s defense that is not very well equipped.

Therefore, the BMP-3 became a good technical breakthrough 30 years ago, when it entered service. No wonder it was purchased in a dozen countries. But the BMP-M3 "Dragoon" became, one might say, a breakthrough in the square.

First, protection. Rolled aluminum armor spaced with steel screens. It can be reinforced with additional multi-layer armor, dynamic protection complex, armor screens and grilles against shaped charges. This, of course, increases the mass and weight of the vehicle, but it can even hold anti-tank grenades of the PG-7VL type. So it’s quite a tank, which, if it had been near Prokhorovka in 1943, alone would have taken out a regiment of German “Tigers”. Deliver only shells...

With weapons - here General Rotmistrov would also give his soul for the same ones that are on the Dragoon. These are two guns at once - 100 mm and 30 mm, as well as a 7.62 caliber machine gun. Everything in one complex. The 100 mm gun can be replaced with a 125 mm one. Let me remind you that "Tiger" was fierce enemy with 88 mm cannon. The BMP's ammunition capacity includes 40 rounds and 8 anti-tank missiles (ATGM) for big guns, 500 shells different types for a 30 mm cannon, 2000 rounds for a machine gun. One of the modifications of the ATGM, the 9M117M1 Arkan missile with a tandem warhead, penetrates a homogeneous armor plate of 750 mm. That is, the same “Tigers” with their 100 mm armor, the “Dragoon” could kill three at once with one shot. With modern tanks like the American M1A2 Abrams, however, a different proportion applies: you need 2-3 Arcana to kill him. But let us remind you that the BMP has eight such missiles in its ammunition supply.

The effective range is about two hundred armor-piercing tracer and armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles. The machine gun mows down enemy personnel at a speed of 800 rounds per minute at a distance of almost 2 kilometers, with about 2,000 rounds of ammunition. The maximum firing range, depending on modifications, is up to 12 km, the sighting range (also depending on) is from 4.5 to 7 km.

And all this - against the backdrop of a developed fire control system (FCS) "Vityaz" - with a weapon stabilizer, range finder, ballistic computer, roll, speed and heading sensors, sight-guidance device and other devices. For example, to aim a projectile at a laser beam or radio beam. Vertical aiming angles from minus 6 to plus 60 degrees make it possible to hit targets on the upper floors of buildings and in the mountains, and even fire at low-flying low-flying air targets.

But the most interesting “trick” is that the fighting compartment of the “Dragoon” is... lifeless. However, this, of course, is said for the sake of a nice word, but in reality it is really not inhabited. An unmanned module, officially speaking. And the crew of 3 people sits in the body, protected not only by armor, but also by an engine moved forward, like a normal car. Receives combat information on displays, shoots almost from the keyboard - in a sense modern warfare still began to resemble old computer games...

And "Armata"?

Yes, but our troops actually began to receive vehicles on the Armata platform - not only the now famous T-14 tank, but also the T-15 infantry fighting vehicle. Is wastefulness repeating itself? Soviet Union, which produced a lot of overlapping types and types of weapons?

Military experts confidently answer: no. These vehicles have different purposes, different battlefields. The heavy T-15 is intended more for combat as part of tank formations. This is a vehicle for transporting tank landing forces - on armor, like in the Great Patriotic War modern combat you won't ride. But the BMP-3M is lighter, it is a middle-class vehicle in terms of characteristics. This means that it is more maneuverable and, accordingly, more suitable for supporting attacks by infantry units.

In total, the vehicle has space for 6 paratroopers, who will travel in almost car-like conditions. Even with air conditioning.

But the main thing remains, of course, not to travel well, but to fight well, to carry out combat mission. And in this sense, we can say with confidence: Russian designers made good car, which will help fighters perform it much more effectively than their potential opponents. Because the BMP-3M turns out to be not only the most powerful, but also the best combat vehicle in the world.

Among foreigners, of course.

Continuing the “Top 10” rating from the Discovery Channel, I would like to draw your attention to another funny selection. This time, the experts came to the attention of “Armored Personal Carriers” - a general designation for all types of armored vehicles intended for transporting personnel. The review included both light armored personnel carriers weighing 5 tons and heavy infantry fighting vehicles. Despite the seeming absurdity, this is quite logical - all this equipment, tracked or wheeled, regardless of its size, performs the same task - transporting people and cargo in military conflicts, protecting them with its armor. For example, there are no strict differences, for example, between an armored personnel carrier and an infantry fighting vehicle. The only thing that distinguished them in theory was that an infantry fighting vehicle is capable of supporting infantry in battle, when an armored personnel carrier only delivers them to the battlefield. With the disappearance of a clearly defined front line, and this is precisely what is observed in all local conflicts of the last quarter of the twentieth century, the armored personnel carrier and the infantry fighting vehicle now perform the same functions. Modern armored vehicles, regardless of their weight, often carry the same weapons, and serve as a platform for the creation of specialized military equipment - from command post and ambulance vehicles, to self-propelled howitzers and multiple launch rocket systems.

In contrast to the controversial and controversial rating “10 Best Tanks According to the Military Channel”, the rating “10 the best armored vehicles", in my opinion, is very adequate and generally correct: it contains really worthy cars. It would not be out of place to add that you should not take such ratings seriously - after all, this is an infotainment program. Therefore, dear readers, I recommend that you pay attention not so much to the places in the ranking, but to the cars themselves. For example, I myself, not being an expert in the field of armored vehicles, did not suspect the existence of many of them. And yet, this review has a serious conclusion - the review shows the most promising directions for the development of armored vehicles, right decisions and design errors. After all, if the landing party prefers to move ON the armor, and not UNDER the armor, then there is really something wrong with the armored vehicles.

The comparison criteria, as always, will be technical excellence, innovative solutions in the creation of this model, manufacturability and mass production and, of course, the main judge - experience in combat use.

Well, that's probably all I wanted to add on my own, this is the end of the prelude, let's move on to the rating. There are many decent cars in the world, but exactly 10 fit into the top ten.

10th place – Marder

Bundeswehr infantry fighting vehicle, combat weight - 33 tons. Year of adoption - 1970. Crew - 3 people + 7 landing troops.
It was created as a response to the Soviet BMP-1. The armament complex includes a 20 mm Rheinmetall-202 automatic cannon and Milan ATGM. Speed (up to 75 km/h on the highway), excellent security, German quality– what else does a good infantry fighting vehicle need? The overall picture is slightly spoiled by the Marder’s lack of combat experience - with the exception of occasional participation in operations in Afghanistan, this armored vehicle almost never traveled beyond the highways of Germany.
In total, the Germans assembled 2,700 of their miracle infantry fighting vehicles, including a self-propelled air defense system based on them. A good car in all respects. Tenth place.

9th place – M1114

American armored vehicle. As you might have guessed from the pictures, this is the legendary Humvee with a set of armor. By the mid-90s, based on the experience of combat use of the M998 chassis, it became clear that the army needed a light armored personnel carrier based on it, which had anti-fragmentation armor and, most importantly, durable mine protection. M1114 had all these qualities, combining mobility, security and firepower with a total weight of less than 5 tons. The M1114's range of detachable weapons includes everything from roof-mounted light machine guns, to remote-controlled 12.7mm machine gun mounts, MANPADS and anti-tank missile systems.

From here you should take a short excursion into the Humvee (aka the M998 HMMWV chassis). Adopted by the United States in 1981 as a “highly mobile multi-purpose wheeled vehicle", The Humvee has become one of the symbols of the American army, appearing in all the conflicts of the last 30 years. According to General Motors, 200,000 of all Humvee variants have been produced to date. One of the most important properties of this half-truck, half-jeep was the versatility of the design. Here are just some of the cars based on it:

M998 - open cargo vehicle,
M998 Avenger - variant with anti-aircraft missile system"Stinger"
M966 - armored jeep with TOW anti-tank system,
M1097 - two-seat pickup truck,
M997 - ambulance jeep with a four-seater cabin,
M1026 - version with a fully enclosed four-seater body and a winch,
M1035 - sanitary version with a four-door cabin,
M1114 - light armored personnel carrier, one of the most popular versions of the Humvee

General Motors designers were able to find the optimal balance between carrying capacity, allowing it to perform all the functions of a universal army vehicle, mount a variety of weapons and armor protection, and, at the same time, not overload the vehicle, maintaining the dimensions of a large jeep. The Humvee has become the standard in its class. Now army SUVs in all countries of the world are borrowing it technical solutions, layout and appearance.

Army equipment a priori cannot be successful in the civilian market in conditions of free competition. This axiom always serves as proof of the justification of exorbitant military expenditures: “If you don’t want to feed your army, you will feed someone else’s,” etc. in the same spirit. In the case of the Hummer, we see the opposite - a stylish army vehicle, retaining the main components (including a 6 liter engine, transmission, suspension), became a successful commercial project - in 1992 its civilian version, the Hummer H1, went into production with minimal cosmetic changes, further developing into the iconic luxury SUV “Hummer H2” with a luxury interior and automatic transmission.
The armored army version of the Humvee M1114 fought a lot around the world, often came under fire, burned, exploded, got stuck in the mud, but nevertheless saved the lives of the soldiers sitting inside. This is what is required from real army equipment.

8th place – The Universal Carrier

The British multi-purpose armored personnel carrier-tractor is the main assistant of the British soldier. An unprepossessing-looking car with a crew of 5 people dashingly moved at speeds of up to 50 km/h across the battlefields of World War II. The Universal Carrier fought on all fronts: from Europe and the Eastern Front to the Sahara and the jungles of Indonesia. Later he managed to take part in the war on Korean Peninsula and ended his career gloriously in the 1960s.

Weighing only 4 tons, The Universal Carrier had decent maneuverability and was protected by 10 mm armor. The armament of linear armored personnel carriers included a 14 mm anti-tank rifle and/or a 7.7 mm Bren machine gun. In addition to the basic version, the troops received the “Wasp” flamethrower vehicle created on its platform and a self-propelled gun with a 40 mm gun.

In total, over the years of serial production from 1934 to 1960. 113,000 of these small but useful machines were produced at factories in the UK, USA, Australia and Canada.

7th place - Sonderkraftfahrzeug 251

A formidable combat vehicle that crushed the countries of Europe and the sands with its wheels and tracks North Africa and the icy expanses of Russia.
The SdKfz 251 half-track armored personnel carrier fully complied with the Blitzkrieg strategy - a fast, spacious and well-protected vehicle with high maneuverability. Crew – 2 people + 10 landing troops, speed on the highway 50 km/h, wheel-tracked propulsion, all-round armor up to 15 mm thick. Like any German equipment, the armored personnel carrier was equipped with a huge number of different options and equipment to perform any task. The German engineering genius went into full force, just appreciate the scale: SdKfz 251 was equipped with a variety of surveillance and communication devices, cranes and winches, radio stations of all types and frequencies, assault bridges, sets of removable armor and a variety of weapons, among which there was even such exotic as jet multiple launch rocket systems Wurframen 40 caliber 280 mm.
A great variety of specialized vehicles were created on the SdKfz 251 platform: in addition to the basic model, ambulances and command and staff vehicles, surveillance and communications vehicles, mobile telephone exchanges, artillery spotter posts, self-propelled anti-aircraft guns with automatic 20 mm MG 151/20 guns, and flamethrower vehicles were produced. , mobile firing points with 37 mm and 75 mm anti-tank guns, engineering equipment...
Among these designs were truly unique examples of armored vehicles, such as the Schallaufnahmepanzerwagen - a noise direction finder for determining the position of enemy artillery positions out of sight, or the Infrarotscheinwerfer - a self-propelled infrared searchlight for illuminating the night sights of Panther tanks.
On my own behalf, I can add the following: lovers of revelations and followers of the work of Vladimir Rezun, who meticulously count the number of German armored vehicles, somehow always forget to include in their lists 15,000 SdKfz 251 armored personnel carriers produced by German industry, although these armored vehicles were superior in their capabilities to many tanks of that period .
By the way, the SdKfz 251 armored personnel carrier was so good that it was produced in Czechoslovakia until 1962.

6th place - M1126 “Stryker”

The youngest recruit in the US Army. The Stryker family of wheeled combat vehicles was created specifically for low-intensity conflicts and “colonial wars”, when the use of heavy armored vehicles, Abrams tanks or Bradley infantry fighting vehicles is redundant, and light brigade combat groups are not effective enough. Fighting on the territory of Iraq and Afghanistan confirmed the correctness of this decision.

The basic version of the M1126 became the first wheeled armored vehicle of its class in the American army. Thanks to its exceptional smoothness, the armored personnel carrier received the nickname “Shadow” among the troops. Particular emphasis during the creation of the M1126 was placed on increasing the protective properties of the vehicle. The steel spaced armor is supplemented with MEXAS mounted armor modules weighing 1700 kg. This type of armor contains a ceramic layer adhesively bonded to a layer of high-strength Kevlar fibers. The purpose of the aluminum oxide ceramic layer is to break up the projectile and distribute kinetic energy By larger area grounds. In terms of durability, MEXAS, with the same weight as steel armor, is twice as strong. Much attention was given to mine protection - double bottom of the vehicle, shock absorption, additional armoring of the most vulnerabilities- all this, according to American designers, should reduce the likelihood of damage to the crew of an armored vehicle.
The armored personnel carrier is equipped with a high-tech weapon system, including a remote-controlled installation with a .50 caliber machine gun and a 40 mm Mark-19 automatic grenade launcher with an ammunition load of 448 grenades. The detection and targeting module includes a night sight and a laser rangefinder.

The 18-ton armored personnel carrier reaches speeds of up to 100 km/h on the highway, and the 8x8 wheel arrangement and tire pressure reduction system provide sufficient maneuverability. A serious drawback for cars of this type is that the Stryker cannot swim.
The Styker family, in addition to the armored personnel carrier, includes
combat reconnaissance and patrol vehicle M1127, fire support vehicle M1128 with a 105 mm cannon, 120 mm self-propelled mortar M1129, KShM M1130, artillery correction post M1131, engineering vehicle M1132, armored medical tow truck M1133, self-propelled anti-tank missile system M1134 with TOU-2 ATGM, and radiation, chemical and biological reconnaissance vehicle M1135.
"Strikers" have been held since 2003 military service on the territory of Iraq.

5th place - אכזרית‎ (Achzarit)

Heavy tracked armored personnel carrier of the Israel Defense Forces. It is the most protected armored vehicle of its class in the world.
The 200 mm armor of the Soviet tank (believe it or not, the Achzarit is a captured Syrian T-54 and T-55 with the turrets removed) was reinforced with overlay perforated steel sheets with carbon fibers, and a set of dynamic protection was installed on top. The total weight of the additional armor was 17 tons, which, combined with the low silhouette of the vehicle, made it possible to provide exceptional high level protection of armored personnel carriers.

On the way to the border

The Soviet engine was replaced by a more compact 8-cylinder General Motors diesel engine, which made it possible to equip a corridor along the right side of the tank leading from the troop compartment to the rear armored door. When the stern ramp is folded down, part of the roof is raised hydraulically, making it easier for the troops to dismount. In addition, the partially open aft door is used as an embrasure.
Achzarit is equipped with a remote-controlled machine gun mount OWS (Overhead Weapon Station) from Rafael. Three 7.62 mm machine guns are used as additional weapons: one on the pivot mounting of the commander's hatch and two on the rear hatches.
As a result, the 44-ton monster is an excellent weapon for combat in urban environments, where there may be an RPG launcher in the opening of every window. Achzarit is not afraid of point-blank fire from all weapons in service with Hezbollah and Hamas militants, reliably covering its 10 crew members with its armor.
To be fair, it is worth noting that the most protected armored personnel carrier in the world is still the Namer (weighing more than 50 tons) on the chassis of the Merkava tank, but only a symbolic number of Namers were produced - 60 pieces, unlike the Achzarit, in which 500 T-54/55 tanks were converted.

4th place – BMP-1

An armored infantry vehicle (that's exactly what American experts believe) has significantly increased the offensive power of motorized rifle units. The ingenious concept of the BMP-1 was to increase the mobility and protection of infantry operating in conjunction with tanks. The car was demonstrated to the world community during a parade on Red Square in 1967.
The body of the BMP-1 was welded from armor plates with a thickness of 15...20 mm, according to calculations this was enough to provide all-round protection from bullets fired from a hand-held rifle, and at heading angles it provided protection even from small-caliber gun shells.
The 13-ton combat vehicle reached speeds of up to 65 km/h on the highway and up to 7 km/h afloat (to increase buoyancy, even the track rollers were made hollow). Inside there were 3 crew members and 8 paratroopers. The weapon system consisted of a 73 mm 2A28 Grom smoothbore grenade launcher, a PKT machine gun and a 9M14M Malyutka anti-tank missile system. Separate embrasures were equipped for the paratroopers sitting inside. All this, in theory, turned the BMP-1 into universal car new generation.

Alas, everything turned out to be more complicated. The Americans severely criticized the decisions of Soviet designers, especially the design of the rear doors of the troop compartment (indeed, very dubious): “Perhaps this is thick armor that reliably protects the crew of the vehicle? No! These are fuel tanks! If the vehicle was hit, this arrangement turned the infantry fighting vehicle into a fire trap.
Based on the results of the battles in the Middle East and Afghanistan, it quickly became clear that the designers had saved money on armor in vain - the BMP was confidently hit by the DShK machine gun. Low protection against mines, small arms and grenade launchers has led to the fact that soldiers prefer to move while sitting on armor, not daring to go down into the fighting compartment of the vehicle. The shortcomings of the weapons also made themselves felt - in mountainous areas, the "Thunder" turned out to be useless due to its low elevation angle.

Those same tanks in the aft hatches

Soviet designers made an attempt to correct errors in the next generation car. The new BMP-2 received an automatic 30 mm cannon with an elevation angle of 85 degrees. The next model, the BMP-3, despite loud calls from the military to increase security, was the apotheosis of absurdity: having almost tank-like weapons, it still has “cardboard” armor.
And yet it is worth paying tribute to the Soviet designers. The infantry fighting vehicle has become a fundamentally new class of armored vehicles. Despite its innovation, the BMP-1 has survived more than a dozen military conflicts around the world. In addition, it was cheap and widespread: a total of 20,000 vehicles of this type were produced.

3rd place – MCV-80 “Warrior”

British infantry fighting vehicle. There's more to her name than just "Warrior." Combat weight - 25 tons. Speed on the highway is 75 km/h. The armored body of the MCV-80 is welded from rolled sheets of aluminum-magnesium-zinc alloy and protects from 14.5 mm bullets and from fragments of 155 mm high-explosive fragmentation shells, and the bottom - from 9 kg of anti-tank mines. The sides and chassis are covered with rubber anti-cumulative screens. The Warrior's armored hull has an internal lining that protects the crew from armor fragments and also serves as sound insulation. The space between the backs of the landing seats and the sides of the hull is used for stowing spare parts and equipment of the infantrymen, which creates additional protection for the troop compartment. Externally, the armor is reinforced with dynamic protection. Armament: 30 mm L21A1 “Rarden” automatic cannon, coaxial machine gun, 94 mm LAW-80 grenade launcher. The crew of the car is 3 people. Landing party - 7 people.

The British command had high hopes for their promising infantry fighting vehicle. And the “Warrior” did not let its creators down - of the 300 vehicles that took part in “Desert Storm,” not a single one was lost in battle. A noteworthy incident occurred in Al-Amar (Iraq) on May 1, 2004: a Warrior patrol vehicle was hit by 14 RPG grenades. The heavily damaged vehicle managed to fight back and came out from under fire under its own power, saving the lives of the soldiers inside it (the entire crew was burned and injured). The commander of the BMP Johnson, Gideon Beeharry, was awarded the Victoria Cross.

In 2011, the UK government allocated 1.6 billion pounds for the modernization of the MCV-80 under the WCSP program. In particular, it is reported that the BMP will receive new complex weapons with a 40 mm automatic gun.
This is the MCV-80 “Warrior” - a machine that soldiers trust.

2nd place – M2 “Bradley”

American infantry fighting vehicle. Combat weight - 30 tons. Speed – 65 km/h on the highway, 7 km/h afloat. Crew – 3 people. Landing party - 6 people.
Multi-layer armor made of steel and aluminum with a thickness of 50 mm provides all-round protection against small-caliber artillery shells. The mounted dynamic protection system serves as a reliable barrier to RPG rocket-propelled grenades. The case has a Kevlar lining on the inside, which prevents the formation of fragments. On the latest modifications, 30 mm steel screens are additionally mounted on the sides.
Armament: 25 mm M242 Bushmaster automatic cannon with a computerized fire control system, TOW ATGM and 6 M231 FPW machine guns. The armored vehicle's equipment includes such frills as the TACNAV tactical navigation system, ELRF laser range finder, infrared passive protection system against ATGMs and an MRE (Meal, Ready-to-Eat) food ration warmer.
At the time of its appearance, in 1981, the US military doubted the combat qualities of the new infantry fighting vehicle. But in 1991, during Desert Storm, all doubts were dispelled: Bradleys, using shells with depleted uranium cores, destroyed more Iraqi tanks than M1 Abrams main battle tanks. And only 1 infantry fighting vehicle was lost from enemy fire.
The well-deserved combat vehicle has become one of the most popular infantry fighting vehicles in the world - a total of 7,000 M2 Bradleys were produced. Its base also produces the M3 combat reconnaissance vehicle, the M6 self-propelled air defense system and the M270 MLRS launcher for MLRS and tactical missiles.

1st place – M113

M113 of the Lithuanian Armed Forces on parade in Kaunas

Floating tracked vehicle weighing 11 tons. All-round protection is provided by 40 mm aluminum armor. Excellent capacity - 2 crew members and 11 paratroopers. Standard weapons - heavy machine gun M2. Fast (highway speed up to 64 km/h), cross-country and easy to maintain, the vehicle has become the most famous armored personnel carrier in the world. 85,000 M113 of all modifications were in service in 50 countries. The M113 has seen through every conflict from the Vietnam War to the 2003 Invasion of Iraq and, as of today, is still in production and is the primary armored personnel carrier of the US Army.
In addition to the armored personnel carrier, the M113 existed in the form of a command and staff vehicle, a self-propelled 107 mm mortar, a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (armed with everything from a six-barreled Vulcan to a Chapperel air defense system), a repair and recovery vehicle, an ambulance, a tank destroyer with a TOW ATGM. , radiation and chemical reconnaissance vehicles and MLRS launcher.

The country's defense capability is one of the most important factors of existence independent state. That is why every year all over the world new and powerful types of military equipment are created that can repel any enemy. And in our review today you can see the 5 best modern models of armored personnel carriers.

1. Finnish armored personnel carrier - AMV

Patria AMV- a multi-purpose wheeled armored combat vehicle developed by the Finnish company Patria. The presented model has been in operation since 2004. This specimen is equipped with a DI12 (DC12) engine with a power of 483 horsepower, thanks to which the vehicle can accelerate to 100 kilometers per hour. Its range from one full tank reaches 700 km. The dimensions of the armored personnel carrier are approximately 7.9 meters in length and 2.8 in width, and it weighs 17 tons.

2. Austrian armored personnel carrier - Pandur II

Pandur II- a modern Austrian multi-purpose wheeled armored fighting vehicle which is produced by the company General Dynamics European Land Systems-Steyr GmbH. This sample has been manufactured since 2007, and was put into operation at the end of 2008. The copy is equipped with a TCD 2015 engine with a power of 524 horsepower, thanks to which the vehicle can accelerate to 100 kilometers per hour. Its range from one fully filled tank is 700 km. The presented armored personnel carrier has only one rifled automatic small-caliber gun 1 × 30 mm Mk44. Its dimensions are approximately 7.36 meters long and 2.67 wide, and it weighs 22 tons.

3. Ukrainian armored personnel carrier - BTR-4

BTR-4 "Bucephalus"- This is one of the most modern armored personnel carriers in Ukraine, created at the Kharkov Transport Engineering Plant. The presented copy has been manufactured since 2008. The model is equipped with a ZTD-3 engine with a power of 500 horsepower, thanks to which the model is capable of accelerating to 110 kilometers per hour. Its range from one fully filled tank is 690 km. The combat vehicle is equipped with a 30-mm KBA-1 (2A72) rifled automatic cannon, two 1 × 7.62 mm KT machine guns, and a 1 × 30 mm AGS-17 Barrier ATGM. The dimensions of this transport reach approximately 7.65 meters in length and 2.9 in width, and it weighs 21.9 tons.

4. Russian armored personnel carrier - BTR-82

BTR-82- is the most modern example of an armored personnel carrier Russian Federation. The model has a turbocharged diesel engine with a capacity of 300 horsepower, thanks to which it is capable of accelerating to 100 kilometers per hour. Its range from one fully filled tank is 600 km. The combat vehicle is equipped with a 30 mm 2A72 automatic cannon and a 7.62 mm PKTM tank machine gun.

5. Turkish armored personnel carrier - AV8

AV8 is a modern Turkish multi-purpose armored combat vehicle manufactured by the military equipment manufacturer FNSS. This model was put into operation in 2012. The copy is equipped with a TCD 2015 engine with a power of 524 horsepower, thanks to which the sample is capable of accelerating to 100 kilometers per hour. Its range from one fully filled tank is 700 km. The presented armored personnel carrier has only one machine gun of 1 x 12.7 mm caliber. The transport dimensions reach approximately 7.9 meters in length and 2.8 in width, and it weighs 26 tons.

And fans of military equipment and weapons will certainly be interested in looking at

MOSCOW, November 18 - RIA Novosti, Andrey Stanavov. Horses have been the main means of transportation for soldiers since time immemorial. And if they somehow survived the First World War, then the Second - with its planes, tanks and guns - “wrote off” the cavalry completely. The horses were eventually left to the police and honor guards, and the soldiers were transferred to armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles. The advantages of the latter are high speed and maneuverability, the ability to “swim” across rivers and operate in conditions of the use of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear ones. Unlike armored personnel carriers, they can not only deliver infantry to the battlefield, but also support them with powerful rocket and cannon fire. RIA Novosti publishes a selection of the most popular infantry fighting vehicles of the armies of the world.

Soviet "two"

Mechanic driver of the BMP-2 during the tactical exercises "Zapad-2017"

In 1981, the chief designer of the BMP-2, Blagonravov, and a group of specialists came to Afghanistan to see how his new vehicle was tested in combat conditions. The troops greeted him with delight. “We have a new BMP with a “thirty”. This vehicle is what we need: the dushmans are afraid of it and call it “shaitan-arba,” said one of the officers at a meeting with the designer. It is believed that the command has finally decided to adopt the BMP-2 for service exactly after this episode.

The crew of the BMP-2 during the individual race of BMP crews as part of the all-army competition "Tank Biathlon 2017" in the Khabarovsk Territory

The main feature of the BMP-2 is the weapon stabilization system in two planes. This distinguished the “two” from its foreign counterparts and made it possible to conduct targeted fire on the move. Armaments include a rapid-firing 30-mm 2A42 automatic cannon with dual-belt selective feed, a coaxial 7.62-mm PKT machine gun, and a Konkurs or Fagot anti-tank guided missile launcher.

The hull is welded from rolled sheets of durable steel armor, thermomechanically treated. The six-cylinder diesel engine inherited from the BMP-1 accelerates the 14-ton vehicle to 65 kilometers per hour on the highway.

Infantry fighting vehicles (BMP-2)

Inside there is room for seven paratroopers and three crew members. The powder gas suction system saves soldiers from poisoning when firing from machine guns through loopholes. To prevent radioactive dust or gases from entering the machine, a filter-ventilation unit is provided that creates excess pressure inside. The BMP-2 and its numerous modernized versions are still in service with the armies of dozens of countries around the world.

From the creators of "Tiger"

The German BMP "Marder" is one of the most successful examples of armored vehicles of post-war Western Europe. Since the late 1960s, German industry has produced more than two thousand such machines for the Bundeswehr. A durable steel body made from sheets of rolled armor welded at certain angles reliably protects three crew members and seven paratroopers from bullets and shrapnel. The BMP was developed by the Rheinstahl-Henschel company, known for its Tiger tank.

The first modifications included a multi-fuel turbocharged Daimler-Benz diesel engine with a capacity of 600 horsepower. This was quite enough to accelerate the tracked vehicle on the highway to 75 kilometers per hour. The modernized infantry fighting vehicles are already equipped with a 1000-horsepower unit.

German infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) "Marder"

The Marder's main weapon is a 20-mm Mk20DM5 Rh202 automatic cannon with a rate of fire of up to 1000 rounds per minute. High-explosive fragmentation shells are used to fire at infantry and vehicles, and armor-piercing sub-caliber shells are used to combat enemy infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers. The latter, at a distance of up to one and a half kilometers, confidently penetrate armor two fingers thick at an angle. To combat enemy personnel, there are two 7.62 mm MG3A1 machine guns: one is coaxial with the cannon, and the second is mounted on the stern.

German infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) "Marder"

"Marders" have been modernized many times. To increase firepower, they were equipped with Milan anti-tank guided missile systems, and to enhance protection they were equipped with additional mounted armor and mine screens. The BMP received its baptism of fire in Afghanistan. To replace the Marder, the Puma has been developed - a new combat vehicle that is already being supplied to Bundeswehr units.

Puff Bradley

The M2 Bradley heavy infantry fighting vehicle entered service with the American army in 1981 and immediately gained popularity among the infantry. First of all, because of its unprecedentedly high armor protection for this type of vehicle. Its peculiarity is the screens made of steel of different hardness spaced apart from each other. Such a “layer cake” confidently “resists” hits from 30-mm armor-piercing shells. To protect against cumulative RPG grenades, dynamic protection can be installed. The upgraded vehicles are additionally lined with Kevlar inside, which protects the crew of three people and six paratroopers from armor fragments in battle.

At the same time, the “Bradley” is quite “nimble” - thanks to a powerful turbodiesel, the 22-ton car “runs” along the highway at a speed of 70 kilometers per hour. The impressive array of weapons includes a 25mm M242 cannon, a 7.62mm M240C machine gun, a TOW anti-tank missile system and six M231 ball-mounted assault rifles in the troop bay. Thus, in battle, an infantry fighting vehicle instantly turns into a mobile checkpoint bristling with trunks. The TOW complex “works out” tanks at a distance of up to three kilometers.

US M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV)

US M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV)

English "Warrior"

British infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) "Warrior"

French character

The floating "French" AMX10P is one of the lightest infantry fighting vehicles in the world. Developed in the 1970s, the vehicle is welded from sheets of aluminum armor and is similar in layout to the Marder and the Soviet Deuce. The sheets can withstand hits from large-caliber machine-gun bullets, but most likely they will not save the crew from cannon armor-piercing shells and cumulative grenades.

French infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) AMX-10P

The remote turret installation includes a 20-mm M693 automatic cannon and a coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun. The gun fires 700 fragmentation or armor-piercing shells per minute and is effective at a range of up to one and a half kilometers. Some infantry fighting vehicles in service with the French army are equipped with Milan anti-tank guided missiles. A spotlight is installed to illuminate targets at night.