Parallel to the development of the Armata family of heavy armored fighting vehicles the Russians are planning to replace some of their BMP medium personnel carriers and tracked utility platforms. The 25-ton platform known as Kurganets will gradually replace gradually replacing BMP and BMD and MT-LB and other types of tracked armored platforms currently in service, providing a more maneuverable and better-protected platform. An outstanding feature, compared to previous generations of Russian designed APCs is the spacious cabin and high level of ergonomic design, addressing the need to deploy troops in protected vehicles for extended missions.
The new 25-ton vehicle was unveiled publicly in May 2015. The manufacturer, Kurganmashzavod is expecting to launch serial production of the new family in 2021, following the conclusion of operational field tests. The revised schedule reflects a more realistic forecast, compared to previous announcements made when the Kurganets 25 was publicly unveiled in 2015, for the new family to enter production within the following year.
Several variants are being planned – an AIFV that carries 6-7 troops and mounts the Bumerang-BM turret identical to the one used on the T-15 AIFV (of the Armata family), this turret mounts the A42 30mm automatic cannon and four Kornet EM missiles. The vehicle has a full suite of defensive aids, including the Afganit active protection systems (APS). This variant is displayed this week at the Army 2017 event in the Patriot Expo Center near Moscow.
Three variants are being evaluated, an AIFV armed with 2A42 30mm cannon, four Kornet EM missiles, and active protection systems, that carries 6-7 troops. This variant is displayed this week at the Army 2017 event in the Patriot Expo Center near Moscow.
The family also includes an infantry carrier carrying 8-9 troops, armed with a smaller turret mounting a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun. An Anti-tank variant armed with 125mm cannon and anti-aircraft/anti-drone vehicle, mounting a 57mm automatic cannon are also in the making. An armored recovery vehicle (ARV) is also in development, along with mortar carrier, reconnaissance vehicle, and armored engineering vehicle.
