Rosoboronexport signs first contract on supplies of BT-3F Armoured Vehicles

JSC Rosoboronexport and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia have signed a contract on the supplies of BMP-3F infantry fighting vehicles and amphibious armoured personnel carriers (APCs) BT-3F developed and produced by JSC Kurganmashzavod in the interests of the country’s Marine Corps.

“The contract on the supplies of BT-3Fs to Indonesia has become the first Russia’s export deal on these new vehicles in history. The design reflected the requests of the partners as well as their experience of using BMP-3Fs, which were delivered to them earlier. Indonesia is very scrupulous about the selection of materiel for its armed forces, and this contract is a serious marker of the highest quality of the Russian weapons and their superiority over competitors,” said Rosoboronexport’s Director General Alexander Mikheev.

Amphibious armoured personnel carrier BT-3F was developed on the basis of    BMP-3F and designed for the transportation of units of the marines, coastal guard and land forces, as well as for the fire support of landed parties in all types of combat operations.

The APC is capable of transporting 17 people, including crew members. The control compartment hosts the driver, a member of the landing party and commander’s assistant – at the left and right sides accordingly, both being capable of firing machine guns.

The APC is equipped with energy-absorbing folding chairs, providing a significant reduction in shock loads on the spine when exploded on a mine and when driving on rough terrain. The seats are equipped with five-point seat belts. In addition, the vehicles are equipped with an

aggregate compressor air conditioning, which is vital for the conditions of a hot tropical climate.

The roof of the BT-3F accommodates a two-plane stabilized remote-controlled combat module with a 12.7 mm machine gun. For the purposes of monitoring the terrain and aiming, the combat module is equipped with a tele-thermal imaging sight with a laser rangefinder. The module is equipped with a built-in diagnostic system and ammunition counter with an indication of the “ran out of ammunition”.

A high level of unification in the case of the BT-3F armoured personnel carriers and BMP-3/BMP-3F reduces expenses and personnel training costs, simplifies the provision of spare parts and consumables, as well as their joint combat use.