ARMY-2023 defence expo in Russia saw the premiere of the Kurganmashzavod’s armored personnel carrier BT-3F with Kornet-E anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system.
“In this configuration, the BT-3F can be used not only as a vehicle, but also as a self-propelled anti-tank system,” – reported Rostec’s High Precision Weapons holding company, which unites both APC and ATGM manufacturers – Kurganmashazavod and KBP respectively.
The BT-3F Amphibious armoured personnel carrier has been designed to enhance mobility and protection of motorized infantry units, marines, coast guards and special forces in all types of missions. The APC has been developed on the basis of the BMP-3F IFV and boasts of high level of unification in terms of its assemblies which significantly reduces operational, maintenance and training costs.
The safety of troopers is provided by the special design seats, fixed to the roof, blast wave absorbing elements, five-point seatbelts, efficient NBC protection and firefighting system. The APC is also equipped with smoke grenade launchers and a smoke generating system for better protection against various threats. BT-3F can carry up to 15 troopers, the max.road speed is 70 km/h, maximum floating speed is 10 km/h.
The Kornet-E vehicle-mounted/portable anti-tank guided missile system is designed to engage current and future tanks fitted with explosive reactive armor, lightly armored vehicles, fortifications, hovering helicopters, pinpoint surface targets in any weather, day or night, and in electronic and optical countermeasures environments.
In the latest Russian Aviation & Military Guide (RAMG) analysis of Kornet ATGM it is stated, that it has become an effective defence and attack weapon due to a shaped charge warhead primarily designed to engage heavy armour contributed by a thermobaric high explosive warhead of blast effect.
“Initially antitank guided missile systems were developed to fight tanks. However modern battlefield scenario has greatly changed – large-scale hostilities between tank armadas have given way to scattered fights in local conflicts. And on this new battlefield ATGM have appeared to be attractively effective not only against MBT but also against other small-size targets including lightly armoured and soft vehicles, cars, fortifications, manpower, enemy infrastructure, fire points and snipers. The Kornet-E weapon system developed by JSC KBP named after Academician A. Shipunov in the early XXI century remains to be one of the mostly demanded antitank missile systems on the global military market,” – reported RAMG.
The crucial part of the Kornet missile system is said to be its automated launching unit designed on the principle of modular approach which has been always traditional for the Kornet family. The main part of unit is its sighting and guidance module with televiewer and thermal imager channels (TV/IIR sight), four missile launching guides and independent elevation and azimuth drives.
Russian forces have destroyed a number of Challenger 2 main battle tanks in Ukraine, according to a report by the UK Ministry of Defense. The tanks were reportedly destroyed by Russian Kornet anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
The Challenger 2 is a British-made tank that is considered to be one of the most advanced in the world. However, it has been vulnerable to ATGMs in the past. In 2015, a Challenger 2 was destroyed by a Kornet ATGM in Syria.
The BT-3F APC with the Kornet-E ATGM system has already attracted significant attention from military experts and enthusiasts alike. Its innovative design, coupled with advanced features such as the automated launching unit and NBC protection, make it a highly effective tool for modern warfare.
Moreover, the ability to transport up to 15 troops while maintaining a maximum road speed of 70 km/h and floating speed of 10 km/h is a testament to its versatility and mobility.
The Kornet-E ATGM system is also a game-changer, with its ability to engage diverse targets in all weather conditions.
Overall, the BT-3F APC with the Kornet-E ATGM system represents a major leap forward in military technology. It offers an unmatched combination of troop transport capabilities and anti-tank firepower that will undoubtedly prove invaluable in dynamic combat scenarios.