Overview of BMP-2 Production and Related Small Arms Developments
A senior figure from Rostec State Corporation’s Kurganmashzavod, Sergei Abdulov, who leads the design team for high precision complexes, noted that more than 30,000 BMP-2 vehicles have been produced since the model’s initial rollout in 1980. This information was reported by TASS. The scale of production underscores the BMP-2’s global footprint and its role in armored vehicle history across multiple conflicts and training environments.
Abdulov emphasized that while the bulk of new BMP-2 production has concluded, a significant portion of the fleet remains in service through ongoing maintenance and repair programs. He pointed out that older BMP-2s continue to be refurbished to extend their operational life, a common practice in many countries with long-service armored fleets. He also noted that licensing arrangements have enabled some BMP-2 production outside Russia, specifically mentioning operations in India. This licensing arrangement reflects broader international defense collaboration and technology transfer patterns observed in the armored vehicle sector.
In a separate development, earlier reports highlighted progress in small arms and precision weaponry. The Chukavina sniper rifle, nicknamed Microwave in field shorthand, reached units within the Russian Armed Forces. The Chukavina rifle is designed to eventually replace the Dragunov sniper rifle (SVD), a platform that has served since 1963. Produced by the Kalashnikov Concern, the Chukavina is built on the framework of the SVK-2016 rifle and was publicly introduced in 2017. The base model is chambered for 7.62x54mm R and shares the same magazine profile as the SVD, with an ammunition capacity of 10 rounds. Options exist for extended magazines, offering 15 or 20 rounds to enhance sustained-fire capability in field engagements.
Additional notes from Rostec’s broader production strategy indicate a notable expansion in ammunition output for small arms and multiple launch rocket systems, with reported increases by a factor of five to ten depending on the subsystem and the production line in question. This increase aligns with Russia’s stated goals to bolster its defensive and deterrent capabilities through broader, more reliable ammunition supplies for ongoing operations and modernization efforts (attribution: TASS).