During battles, tanks stand as the primary offensive tool, yet this discussion shifts to the vehicles that follow and shield frontline units. These are the Terminators, a class of combat vehicles designed to support and protect maneuvering forces.
According to the commander of the crew of a vehicle in the 3rd Army Corps of the Western Military District, Ukrainian forces reportedly retreated in one engagement when confronted by a Terminator. The military leadership later recognized the value of this platform by offering rewards for those who can capture a Terminator, underscoring the vehicle’s intimidating presence on the battlefield. In reports quoted by RIA Novosti, the commander described a recent battle where enemy trenches were overwhelmed and the foes fled upon seeing the Terminator, a machine that was both unfamiliar and hard to understand for them.
In footage describing the engagement, two Terminators are shown escorting a tank column, serving as the first and third vehicles in the line. A driver of another Terminator claimed that opposing forces covet the same equipment, but it remains unattainable for other armies, making a trophy capture impossible. This highlights the Terminator as a vehicle designed for integration into a larger armored team rather than a standalone unit.
Functionally, the Terminator is built on the chassis of the T-90 main battle tank, and its weapon systems are arranged to deliver a high density of fire. Much of the main armament is mounted in an unmanned turret, separated from the crew for safety. The armament configuration includes:
- Two 2A42 caliber 30 mm rapid-fire cannons,
- Four guided missiles,
- A 7.62 mm machine gun mounted in the combat module,
- Two AGS-17 grenade launchers placed in recesses along the fenders.
How this firepower translates on the battlefield is striking:
- The 2A42 cannons engage light armored vehicles at ranges up to 1.5 kilometers and threaten personnel up to about 4 kilometers, with a mix of high-explosive fragmentation and armor-piercing rounds available in a sizable 900-round ammunition load, and a firing rate approximating 600 rounds per minute.
- The Ataka missiles are laser-guided and capable of piercing armor up to roughly 950 mm, enabling strike against vehicles and fortified positions.
- The 7.62 mm machine gun carries about 2,000 rounds, with a rate of fire near 650 rounds per minute and an effective range around 1.5 kilometers.
- AGS-17D grenade launchers offer stabilized fire in two planes, allowing aimed shooting while in motion. Each launcher carries about 300 rounds (total 600) with a rate of 50–100 rounds per minute in single shots and up to 350 rounds per minute in bursts. An observation range of roughly 1.5 kilometers completes its profile.
A crew of five operates the Terminator, consisting of a driver, a gunner, a commander, and two grenade launcher operators. With its weapon suite and modern supporting technologies, the Terminator is able to clear substantial areas of enemy forces within a radius of 1.5 kilometers or more. After several minutes of engagement, the opposing forces are diminished to the point that trophy attempts are no longer feasible.
BMPT Terminator: Key Characteristics
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Dimensions and performance: length 7200 mm, width 3800 mm, height 3440 mm; ground clearance 406 mm. Crew: 5. Weight: 48,000 kg. Maximum speed: 70 km/h. Highway range: 550 kilometers. Engine: multi-fuel diesel with a turbocharger. System configuration: V-92S2, V12, 38.8 liter displacement. Electrical current: about 736 kW (1000 hp) at 2000 rpm. Armor features include anti-projectile composite and dynamic protection. |
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