Indonesia Has Decided to Buy 60 BMP-3F

BMP-3F Indonesia marine corps. (Photo: Indonesia Navy)

January 30 2012, Moskow: Indonesia has decided to buy a floating armored vehicles, abandoned by the Russian military

Kurgan sell Indonesian infantry fighting vehicles (BMP-3F), who refuses to buy the Russian Defense Ministry. As told "Izvestia" a source in the military-industrial complex, in the next two years to Asian countries will take about 60 cars worth more than $ 100 million

The exact parameters of the deal, according to a representative of Rosoboronexport, including her final amount will be determined by February 10 at the time of signing the contract. But before the end of this year, Indonesia will receive at least 20 cars.

At the Kurgan explained that Indonesians will collect a separate party of BMP-3F, able to withstand a three-point storm.

- Cars will be completely out of Russian components. The only thing that there will not be produced in Russia - the Belarusian weapons guidance system, - said the representative of the plant.

According to him, the Indonesians have chosen one of the most complete sets of simple machines. However, even in this scenario the driver gets a broad overview of the BMP and the shooter may conduct aimed fire at all times. Thus the representative of the Kurgan explained that the Russian troops last delivery of BMP-3 was in 2010 - since the Defense Ministry does not buy these cars.

In 2010, then-Deputy Defense Minister for Armaments, Vladimir Popovkin, who now heads the Federal Space Agency, has publicly criticized the BMP, calling them "coffins" in which "nobody wants to go." These words have cost Russia a contract with Greece for 420 cars and provoked a strong criticism of the leadership of the country, including from Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The cost of supplies was estimated at $ 1.5 billion

As told "Izvestia" a source in the military and political circles, the Greek military has lost interest in the Russian track car, but revised the terms of the contract. In which way have changed the conditions of the contract, the source said is difficult.

- In Greece, exchanged a few ministers of defense, but negotiations continue. The Greeks have carried out additional testing of the BMP-3, and again assessed the value of the contract - the source said.

In addition to the Greek interest in the BMP-3 showed some countries in Africa and Latin America, particularly Venezuela.

According to the head of analytical department of the Institute of Political and Military Analysis Alexander Khramchikhin, the refusal of the Ministry of Defence BMP was logical and clear:

- The concept of BMPs obsolete. The machine has a weak defense of mine, as well as protection from the sides of the RPG and small arms bullets from small distances. In addition, BMP-3 is poorly designed layout of the troop compartment - infantryman awkward to get out of the car.

Chief Editor of "Arsenal" Victor Murakhovski contrast, said that the BMP-3 is in great interest abroad.

- The United Arab Emirates BMP-3 is involved in the tender along with American and British Bradley Warrior. As a result, the UAE military chose BMP-3. Now Emirates 700 Russian vehicles - an example Murakhovski.

According to him, BMP-3 was designed for large-scale battles and is not intended to patrol dangerous areas. Most of the deaths of soldiers in it was due to the disruption in home-made land mines. At the same time the men were traveling on top - on the armor of BMPs to control the environment around the road.

Source: Izvestia