Zvezda 3559 BMD-1 russian airborne IFV

The BMD-1 infantry fighting vehicle was developed in the late 1960s and entered service with the Soviet Army in 1970. Serial production of the vehicle began in the same year, and the vehicle is still in use by the Russian Federation troops to this day (2017). The BMD-1 was powered by a single 240hp 5D20 engine and could take up to 4-5 landing troops. The basic armament of the BMD-1 is: the 73mm 2A28 cannon, 1 PKT machine gun cal .: 7.62 mm and 1 ATGM launcher (anti-tank guided missile) 9M14M Malyutka or 9M113 Competition.

In its concept, the BMD-1 infantry fighting vehicle was modeled on the BMP-1, with the difference, however, that it was to be used by airborne regiments. Thus, the BMD-1 became a lighter and less armored vehicle than the BMP-1. However, it still had relatively strong weapons and the ability to overcome water obstacles without special preparation. Due to the relatively low weight, it was possible to transport it by air, for example, by AN-12 or Il-76 planes and MI-6 and MI-26 helicopters. The emphasis on the high maneuverability of the car and its low weight made the BMD-1 very easy to destroy by other IFVs of NATO countries already in the late 1970s. The fact would explain why the car was only exported to Iraq and Angola.